Special class
A special class is a class consisting of students with disabilities who have been grouped together because of similar individual needs so that they can receive specially designed instruction. In special classes, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction is adapted to ensure the student has access to the general curriculum and the opportunity to meet the educational standards that apply to all students. Special Class Services serve students with disabilities whose needs cannot be met within a general education class, even with the use of supplementary aids and services. Supplementary aids and services are aids, services and other supports that are provided in the general education classroom so that a student with a disability can be educated with his or her peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Some examples include a notetaker, instructional materials in other formats (e.g., Braille or large print), special seating arrangements, books on tape, highlighted work, study guide outlines of key concepts, paraprofessional support, a behavior management plan.
Prior to the special education reform, placement in a special class was usually an all-or-nothing proposition. Under the reform, schools are encouraged to program students on an individual subject basis according to their strengths, needs, preferences and interests and maximize time spent with their non-disabled peers. Schools, in turn, have been encouraged to improve fluidity between general and special education programs by creating parallel schedules where general education and special education teachers provide instruction in the same content area during the same periods.
Special class and other special education supports are not restricted to ”core” subjects. (For funding purposes, the Department considers ELA, math, social studies and science as “core” subjects.) Rather, the