SPECIAL EDUCATIO

N

The White Paper on Education, Charting our Education Future

(1995), states:

ALL STUDENTS, regardless of their

personal circumstances, HAVE A RIGHT

of access to and participation in the education system, according

totheir potential and ability.

DEFINITION:SPECIAL EDUCATION OR

SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION - is the education of students with

special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual

differences and needs.

It also refers to the arrangement of teaching

procedures, adapted equipment and materials,

accessible settings, and other interventions designed to

address the needs of students with learning differences,

mental health issues, physical and developmental disabilities,

and giftedness.

VISION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

“The State, community and family hold a common vision for the Filipino child with special needs. By the 21st century, it is envisioned that he/she could be adequately provided with basic education. This education should fully realize his/her own potentials for development and productivity as well as being capable of self-expression of his/her rights in society. More importantly, he/she is God-loving and proud of being a Filipino.

GOAL OF SPECIAL

EDUCATION- to provide children with special needs appropriate

educational services within the mainstream of

basic education.

The two-pronged goal includes the development of key strategies on legislation,

human resource development, family involvement and active participation of government

and non-government organizations.

1987 Philippine Constitution. Article II, Section 17

-provides that the state must give priority to

education.

Article XIV, Section 1

guarantees that this education be

accessible to all: appropriate steps must

be taken.

Sec. 12 mandates that the "State shall take into

consideration the special requirements of disabled

persons in the formulation of educational policies and

programs."

Chapter II of Title II of the Magna Carta for Disable

Persons, RA 7277

On the other hand, learning institutions are encouraged "to take

into account the special needs of disabled persons with respect to the

use of school facilities, class schedules, physical education

requirements, and other pertinent consideration." Specifically, learning

institutions are encouraged to provide "auxiliary services that will facilitate

the learning process for disabled persons."

Sec. 14 of RA 7277

provides that the State "shall establish, maintain and support complete, adequate

and integrated system of special education for the visually impaired, hearing

impaired, mentally retarded persons and other types of exceptional children in all regions of the country."

OBJECTIVES OF SPECIAL

EDUCATION

OProvide a flexible and individualized support

system for children and youth with special

needs in a regular class environment in schools nearest the students’

home.

OImplement a life-long curriculum to include early intervention and

parent education, basic education and transition programs on vocational training or preparation

for college, and

OMake available an array educational programs and services: the Special Education Center built on “a school within a school concept” as the resource center for children and youth with special needs; inclusive education in regular schools, special and residential schools, homebound instruction, hospital instruction and community-based programs; alternative modes of service delivery to reach the advantaged children in far-flung towns, depressed areas and underserved barangays.

Special Education Act of 2007 identifies ten groups of Children with Special Needs (CSNs):

1. gifted children and fast learners2. mentally handicapped/mentally retarded3. visually impaired4. hearing impaired5. children with behavior problems6. orthopedically handicapped7. children with special health problems8. children with learning disabilities (perceptual handicap, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia and developmental aphasia)9. speech impaired10. persons with autism

PRINCIPLES OF

SPECIAL EDUCATION

• students with special educational needs have a right to

an appropriate education

• the needs of the individual student are paramount in

decisions relating to their education

• parents should have an active role within the system

• a continuum of educational services should be provided

and, where

practicable, appropriate education should be

provided in ordinary schools for all students with special

educational needs

• only in exceptional circumstances should a student have

to live away from home to avail of an appropriate

education

• the state should provide adequate resources to enable

students with special educational needs to avail of an

appropriate education.