Labeling Special Education Students

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Students identified as having problems in school will either meet eligibility criteria for special education services or will be unofficially labeled with such negative adjectives as "lazy," "unmotivated," "slow learner," or "behavior problem." (Henley, Ramsey & Algozzine, 2010). If this is the case then neither the teacher nor most importantly the student will receive any kind of help. These types’ pf students will remain in general education classes throughout their lives. Eventually there will be an increased probability that these students will drop out of school. In most cases, a student is identified as requiring special education when school evaluation data match the student with a specific disability. Some people often believe that …show more content…
Labeling may make the people without disabilities more tolerant of the people with disabilities. For example, the actions of a child identified as having a disability might be tolerated, whereas the behavior of a peer without intellectual disability would be frowned upon. By being labeled a student with disabilities may receive sympathy for his or her actions, rather than being scolded or bullied. Another advantage for labeling a student would be, it enables professionals to communicate with one another because each categorical label conveys a general idea about learning characteristics. Teachers and professors are able to discuss a student in detail, using the specific terms that describe the student’s disability. Then there is the aspect of the government, Federal and local funding of special education programs are based on categories of disabilities. Overall labeling has led to the development of specialized teaching methods, assessment approaches, and behavioral interventions that are useful for teachers of all students." (Henley, Ramsey & Algozzine,