The document outlines the author's 25 years of experience in special education, emphasizing the evolving nature of educational standards and curriculum influenced by government regulations and societal values. It discusses the importance of inclusion for special needs students in general education environments, supported by federal laws like IDEA. The author highlights the significance of understanding students' backgrounds, moral beliefs, and educational methods to effectively deliver instruction.

1. Exceptional Education
2
Exceptional Education
Grand Canyon University EDU-535
10/12/2016
As far as I can remember, I wanted to teach. Maybe it was
because my mother worked as a secretary at various schools my
whole life, so I was exposed to education early. Or maybe it
was my love for other children as I got older. All I know is I
have worked in the field of special education now for over 25
years. Because I have so many years in this field, I’ve had an
opportunity to work with elementary through high school
students with various disabilities.
Schooling gives the foundation to survive in society. In order to
be a productive citizen, one must learn to read, write and do
math. I define education as the preservation of a democratic
society for which we live in as a United State citizen.
Education prepares us to be a productive citizen in this
democratic society. The nature of learners within the United
States will always be different because of the students’
individual view on what they should learn based on their
individual moral, values and beliefs. Student in the United
States are considered as Idealist which is considered the oldest
philosophy of Western culture, dating back to ancient Greece
and Plato. For the idealist, the world of the mind, ideas, and

2. reason is primary, (Webb, 2013). The United States will never
have set standards in curriculum based on the fact that our great
country was created by separation of church and state which
created different morals, values and beliefs within a school.
Curriculum are set by our federal and local government which
changes periodically every year. For example, the curriculum
for math went from (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Calculus)
to (Math I, Math II, Math III, Math IV) back to (Algebra,
Geometry, Calculus) based on the belief of the new State
Superintendent of Education. So in the 25 years I have not seen
a set curriculum in all subject areas which changes based on
who is in office.
The instructional methods of a teacher changes based on the
evaluation system that is set by the state. Every state has
different evaluation instruments but the performance standards
never change. The ten performance standards are the
foundation that a teacher must use in order to deliver the
instruction. Georgia uses (Teacher Keys) which not only
involves the evaluation in the classroom from the administrator,
also involves surveys concerning the teacher performance from
the students. The instructional method is also more
differentiated and you teach according to the level of the
student through testing. So the instruction is delivered through
gradual release. The instructional method is also impacted by
special need students because their placed in regular education
classroom using inclusion method so they will not be isolated in
one classroom.
Inclusion is when special needs students are mainstreamed into
general education classes to be included in regular education.
These students are still serviced by special education teachers
but inclusion gives these students a chance to get the education
they deserve. Thanks to acts of congress such as the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the rights of special
education students are protected by an acronym called (FAPE);
free appropriate public education.
Due to inclusion, classroom management has changed.

3. Classrooms are more differentiated and there are two teachers
within the classroom with the second teacher being an
interrelated teacher. The interrelated give the special attention
to the students on their case working the IEP (Individual
Education Plan). The regular education teacher instruction uses
the classroom management set by the state with their (Standard,
Objective, Essential Question, and Gradual Release).
Classroom management is how a teacher sets standards within
his or her class but this cannot be done without assessment.
The instructional strategy is based on the assessment strategies
(Benchmark Test, State Test) which enables the teacher address
the needs of the students whether you need to use cooperative
learning (Think, Pair, Share), centers or modeling instruction.
In other words, you must learn you audience before you get in
front of them.
Learning your community and where students come from based
on SES (Social Economic Status) and religious beliefs is
essential in understanding your audience. Again, as stated
earlier you must understand your students moral, value and
beliefs. This understanding will enable a teacher to deliver the
instruction according to the professional standards.
References
Norwich, B. (1999). The Connotation of Special Education
Labels for Professionals in the Field. British Journal Of Special
Education, 26(4), 179.
Webb, L., Metha, A., & Jordan, K. (2013). Foundations of
American education (7th ed.,pp.11-15). N.p: Merril
Council of Chief State School Officers (2011, April). Interstate
Teacher Assessment and Support
Consortium (InTASC) Model Core Teaching Standards:A
Resource for State Dialogue. Washington, DC: Author.