Task Force: Resource Allocation For Special Needs Program

Congratulations!

Your school board has assigned you to be in charge of resource allocation for the special needs education program at your local school. You will have to consider which resources to reallocate to the program and how.

Why Are We Doing This?

Special needs are defined as, “particular educational requirements resulting from learning difficulties, physical disability, or emotional and behavioral difficulties.” Unfortunately, students with special needs are more often than not forced into an education system that fails to meet their needs. In fact, according to a report from the Office of Special Education, there’s a substantial shortage of special-education teachers in the US. Here, we ask you to consider how to reallocate certain resources to special needs education programs while identifying ways in which the current education system fails its students with special needs. We want you to consider ways in which their education may be well-resourced to best fit their needs and wants.

Steps:

1. Research issues in how the current education system addresses the needs of students with special needs. Then, research articles that discuss needed improvements/solutions. 
2. With your group, try to figure out how to reallocate resources to the special needs program at your school. 
   1. According to an article published by Business Insider, “A 2020 report by the US Government Accountability Office found that two out of every three public schools may be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)” 
      1. Come up with a list of potential violations this could entail (i.e. steep ramps, no elevators, etc) and how you plan to fix them. 
   2. Name 1-2  ways you will allocate resources to meet the needs of students with:
      1. physical special needs (provide examples of specific physical special needs)
      2. learning/emotional/behavioral special needs (provide examples of specific learning/emotional/behavioral special needs)
   3. Will students with special needs be integrated into classrooms with students without special needs? Why or why not? 
      1. What are some advantages/disadvantages to integration?
   4. What are some things neurotypical students should be taught about students with special needs?
   5. Overall, how will you ensure that students with special needs have the same resources, opportunities, and advantages as students who do not have them? 
3. Think through the possible objections about your reallocation of resources that someone could have and how you would answer them. 
4. Share with the group and see if you can convince them that your plan best ensures equal opportunities for students with special needs.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• You do not have to come up with an exhaustive list of ways to implement the allocation of resources. Focus on a few you are prepared to defend.