Special Education Day or National Special Education Day is annually celebrated on December 2nd in the United States. This day celebrates and promotes the education for children with disabilities.
This day commemorate the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act into law on this day in 1975 (IDEA). IDEA granted access to children with special needs to free and quality public education.
The act has been revised several times but the crux of it remains the same, and is the foundation for special education in the U.S. In support of this act, many organizations pledge to provide good education to students with special needs.
| Event | Special Education Day |
|---|---|
| Date | December 2, 2022 |
| Day | Friday |
| Significance | The day celebrates and promotes the education for children with disabilities. |
| Observed by | United States |
Special Education Day History:
The history of Special Education begins with the 18th century. Before that time, persons with disabilities were not taken in consideration, and were often mistaken as being possessed by evil powers, cursed, or simply stupid. With the beginning of the 18th century, and also of the period known as the Enlightenment, ideas about education started to arise. The Enlightenment period influenced Special Education is many ways. To start, Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) publishes his Emile, a book about the education of children.
Then the 20th century is characterized by the implementation of laws to assure that people with disabilities would have their rights to education guaranteed. In 1906, the New York University included in the courses offered by the school a training program for special education teachers. In 1931 the United States Office of Education established a section on the exceptional children, and in 1936 blind persons are included in the Social Security Act of 1935. Despite some efforts, the attention from special educational issues was shifted to other concerns such as the Great Depression and the Second World War.
Regarding the origins of this day, it all started in 1972 with the U.S. District Court lawsuit Mills versus the Board of Education filed in the District of Columbia. The denial of publicly funded education for special children, including those with learning disabilities, was ruled unlawful. This case paved the way for acts such as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, approved and passed by President Gerald Ford on November 29 of the same year. The Act was the country's first official law addressing special education.
Through this law states receiving federal funds were required to provide full access to children with special needs. In 1986, the law was revised to include more support for parents and educators and to advance education plans. In 1990, the name of this landmark act changed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA. Over the years, clauses have been added to address issues and ensure that the standards of education for special children are on par with the overall educational system. Special Education Day started in 2005 on IDEA's 30th anniversary.
Special Education Day Significance:
The term "special education" refers to individualized programs, curriculum, and instruction designed to address the needs of students with disabilities. The intent of special education is to enable individuals with special needs to reach their fullest potential. Teachers must participate in a relevant special ed curriculum in order to teach these students. While all teaching programs should cover the importance of accommodation and inclusion, it is possible to earn a bachelor's degree in Special Education, or even attain dual licensure in Elementary Education and Special Education.
Special education aims to provide accommodated education for disabled students such as learning disabilities, learning difficulties (such as dyslexia and ADHD), communication disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities (such as osteogenesis imperfecta, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and Friedreich's ataxia), developmental disabilities (such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities) and other disabilities.
It is an important issue which needs to be addressed because students with disabilities are often misunderstood. Many believe that such students have learning impediments when that is not the case. Special Education Day addresses this misconception. This day also honors all the teachers and educators in the field of special education as special education is not possible without the efforts of the teachers and educators who relentlessly help their students achieve their educational goals. It also highlights the need for specialized educational teachers.
We all are pretty much already aware of the fact that today's youth is the future of our world, and thanks to the combined efforts of activists, advocates, and state-level officials, they are supported in this difficult, but no doubt, most rewarding journey. It potentially inspires future students to pursue a career in specialized education. As there are a large number of children in our world who are suffering from any of the mentioned disabilities and they deserves education too as education is a basic right which every individual in our world deserves and this is the message behind this day.
Special Education Day Celebrations:
Use this opportunity to learn more about Special Education. Start it with reading of the IDEA legislation. Explore the impact IDEA has had on the lives of children with disabilities. Read about the framework it provides and the recent revisions in the legislation. In this way you will be able to get educated enough for this very important topic. So educate yourself and also share it with others.
This is a very important issue which needs to be discussed much more times. So use this occasion to make sure to make people aware about this very important day and about the importance of special education. As many people still today are very unaware about the special education centers and the government policies regarding it so do try to spread this important information to more and more people.
If you want to contribute more then you can look for opportunities to volunteer in special education programs in your local community. Many institutes require volunteers after school to assist and spend time with special children. So do try to make your impact for this important cause.
Most Searched FAQs on Special Education Day:
1. When is Special Education Day celebrated?
Special Education Day is annually celebrated on December 2nd in US.
2. What does Special Education Day commemorates?
Special Education Day commemorates the signing of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA) into law on this day in 1975.
3. What does E.D.C. stand for in special education?
E.D.C. stands for Eligibility Determination Conference in special education.