Did anyone go to school here before they put the awful mud in the windows? I graduated from Russellville High School in Russellville, Arkansas in 1969 after spending three years in this building.
Do you remember where all the classes were located? If my memory is right, the students in special education were relegated to the bottom floor.
I don't think the word inclusion was even a part of education in Arkansas at that time. I believe it was about 1997 when the 1975 law now known as IDEA was amended assuring that students with disabilities had the same access to learning as everyone else. Arkansas was forced to get on board. The topic among educators was hot at the time. Some were opposed. Nevertheless, we accepted the change and learned to adapt.
I remember a student in a wheelchair with mental and physical impairments in 7th-grade science. His struggle was real, but we successfully worked through it. That young man graduated high school and is now a productive member of the community. I saw how equity made a difference for him and am glad that I was given the opportunity to help him succeed.
A History of IDEA
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was enacted by Congress in 1975. Before EHA children with disabilities were often denied the right to an education. In fact, many states had laws that left out children who were deaf, blind, emotionally disturbed or had an intellectual disability. That all changed in 1975 and in 1990 the law was renamed to Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. Since that time there have been revisions to the law significantly helping with progress in "implementing effective programs and services for early intervention, special education, and related services." ...read more
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
They're not just buzzwords. When applied in education, they open up a whole new world for many who might otherwise be left out. Society cannot advance without giving everyone the opportunity to be productive citizens in the world. Simply put, providing DEI programs helps every student to show up each day without fear of being their true selves, and in the end everyone benefits.
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