History, funding, staffing of SPED
The modern system of special education in the United States arose out of inconsistent and sometimes horrific treatment of children with disabilities. Educational opportunities varied depending on the state or locality in which a child lived, as well as the severity of his or her disability. A child with a relatively mild learning disability was likely to be placed in a regular classroom,... Read More
Training useful, but often spotty
Training plays a critical role in the success and safety of SPED assistants and the students they strive to educate. The state lays out specific programs districts may use to train staff on recognizing student behavior patterns, de-escalation techniques and — when necessary — how to temporarily restrain a student when there is an imminent threat of harm to themselves or others. If... Read More
Classified employees speak out
To this day — nearly a year after the incident — Beth can’t describe what happened to her without crying. The veteran special education (SPED) assistant was working with a student who was becoming increasingly agitated, when the teen erupted, kicking her in the head with heavy boots. “It changed my life,” Beth said, as she described through tears the incident that left... Read More
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