U355 Music and Exceptionality/U357 Music in Special Education

JOURNAL REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT

Student Name: Maleea Roy

Date: 8/29/16

Article Citation: History of Special Education: Ackerman P., Jaeger, R. & Smith, A. (2010).
Gale Encyclopedia of Education, Cengage Learning, www.gale.com/globalissues.

ESSA Article: Unknown, . "FACT SHEET: Congress Acts to Fix No Child Left Behind." (2015). Print.
Article Summary: The History of Special Education article goes over key points in time where special education
developed. This includes important dates and legislation that played a part in making special education a
valuable resource in todays classroom. Many struggles have been made over the need for special education and
this article records the major events that lead to the kind of special education systems we have today. Issues are
discussed throughout about the benefits as well as controversial topics about special education. The ESSA
article what all is involved in this new legislation of special education.
Key terms/Concepts:
Special education- education specifically tailored to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities
EAHCA- (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) A legislation acknowledging the need for education
among children who have learning impairments. This is the landmark act that started the search for
quality special education.
Inclusion/mainstreaming- The act of gradually including a child with a learning disability into a classroom
with students who dont have learning disabilities
IDEA- (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) The legislation demanding mandatory education to
students with disabilities
IEP- (Individualized Education Program)- a program/plan about a student with special education which
includes their limitations, strengths, and education history.
ESSA- (Every Student Succeeds Act)- This Act aims to fix certain problems with the previous NCLBA (No
Child Left Behind Act)

Favorite passage: If special educators are to avoid the mistakes of the past, they will need to make future
decisions based upon reliable data, evaluating the efficacy of differing options. (History of Special Education)

Critical Point 1: The history of special education not only determines its future, but also
brings about important topics of discussion concerning how special education will
continue.

Response 1 : While this article cites key turning points in the history of special education,
those who wish for it to continue have much more to learn. Also, since so many people
have different views and opinions on how special education should be taught, it might be
a good thing that there are different methods. There should be various options for the
parents and the kids to choose because as each child without learning disabilities are
different, so are those who do have learning disabilities. There wont be a blanket cure
for all children and how they are being educated. This is why special education can be so
individualized and tailored to the child.

Critical Point 2: Because children who need special education can be perceived in usually very negative ways,
its important to try and mainstream them with other students.

Response 2: In agreement with this statement, children who need special education may need copious
amounts of individualized care when it comes to the way they learn. However, once they know how to learn
things according to their own way, they should be free to practice that with other students. The past has taught
us that secluding and segregating children with learning disabilities results in very negative ways. By learning
from history, we can make the child feel accepted and loved while also giving him or her the kind of education
they need to be successful. Because of the ESSA, hopefully students will get the right education they need
without segregating them too much from their peers. The reason NCLB was unsuccessful was because it was not
individualized, but very restricting.

Reflexive Response: The History of Special Education article covers many topics revolving around special
education that make the author seem unbiased and very studious. The article praises the successes of how
special education has evolved over the years without downplaying or diminishing the mistakes along the way.
As humans, people make mistakes and its from those mistakes that we can grow. As long as special educators
bring love and acceptance to the child in need, the child will be encouraged to grow in ways no one could ever
imagine. Hopefully, the ESSA allows children with special needs to be mainstreamed in a fluid and successful
way.