User talk:Student Needs

Special Ed Schools and Obama



Since the last Presidential Elections, Barack Obama has emphasized that his then-upcoming government will take special interest in upholding education. Special ed schools have been one of those given importance by the running President and Vice-President that time. According to the website –change.gov "Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that our kids and our country can’t afford four more years of neglect and indifference. At this defining moment in our history, America faces few more urgent challenges than preparing our children to compete in a global economy. The decisions our leaders make about education in the coming years will shape our future for generations to come. Obama and Biden are committed to meeting this challenge with the leadership and judgment that has been sorely lacking for the last eight years" (2011). However, are these goals currently being realized?

Special ed schools today provide the basic educational services that are provided to students with special needs. It is sad that most of these individuals today are being integrated with the same educational systems and standards granted to regular students. It would be a double-sided issue because integrating special individuals with the education of ordinary students might affect the learning abilities of both. With this in mind, the government of President Barack Obama has given emphasis on the relevance of special ed schools by "ensuring the academic success of students with disabilities by increasing funding and effectively enforcing the individuals with disabilities Education Act, and by holding schools accountable for providing students with disabilities the services and supports they need to reach their potential" (Change.gov, 2011).

It would be worth to note that among the four priorities in Obama's agenda on "early childhood education, K-12, and higher education are that of supporting students with disabilities" (Change.gov, 2011). If one would integrate the benefits provided with the President's agenda, special individuals who are entering college are given emphasis by the government. More so, special ed schools may emphasize their need for assistance in terms of the provision of affordable and high-quality child and health care by improving their facilities. Most importantly, the government of President Obama is seeking to improve teaching qualities by expressing support on the recruitment, preparation, retention and rewards for teachers. All this provided for the education of Americans, including special ed schools.

With this in mind, it is safe to note that special ed schools can maximize the available opportunities of the President given that funding will be available for them. In the news report of FoxNews.com, it was reported that“Obama’s budget would increase fiscal 2012 discretionary Education Department funding to $77.4 billion, a 10.7% increase from current spending levels and a 20.7% increase from 2010 spending levels. Most of the spending goes to grants to college students from low income families, Title I grants to disadvantaged schools, and state grants for special education" (2011). With this initiative alone, it is worthwhile to consider that the President has his eye on education and that includes his support for special education.

For more information about the Student Need please visit the website www.studentneeds.info