Children with and without special needs can join forces in education: a single state continues to segregate them for extended periods.
Crappy old New Jersey can't seem to get its sh*t together when it comes to including kids with disabilities in the general education classroom. Instead of putting these kiddos in all-disabled classrooms, federal law demands that they be given the chance to learn alongside their typical peers to the "maximum extent appropriate."
But what a joke that is in Jerseyland. Check this out: only 49% of 6 and 7-year-old kids with disabilities are subsisting in general ed classrooms most of the day. Ain't that a kick in the nuts? The whole country boasts a rate of nearly 75%. In some Jersey districts, it's as low as 10% – and that's just a bunch of sadness.
Now don't get me wrong, New Jersey flashier than most states, but nowhere is it shining bright in the special education department. For over 30 years, Jersey's been leveled with lawsuits and federal scrutiny for shunting kids with disabilities into those locked-down, all-disabled ghetto classrooms. They've missed their targets for improving inclusion like a fat kid missing a hula hoop.
The reasons for this worm-eaten situation are roughly as follows:
- Stronger-than-shit local control: Jersey's decentralized system puts a whole lotta power in the hands of school district leaders – and many of them have been acting like they're the gods of Mount Olympus, making up their own damn rules when it comes to inclusion.
- Putting the pedal to the metal: Going pedal-to-the-metal in kindergarten is fine, but it's not for everyone, especially not for kiddos with disabilities. They need individualized support, and skipping their needs just leads to frustration all around.
- Financial hoo-ha: Money, honey. School districts are strapped for cash, and providing the support kids with disabilities need is costly. Some argue it's too costly, but others say it's a necessary investment for giving those kids a fair shot at success.
Experts agree that integration in general ed classrooms is especially important when it comes to those little sprogs. Research shows that when it's done right, it benefits kids with and without disabilities. Denying kids with disabilities this chance to learn and grow with their typical peers can cause academic and emotional damage that lasts a lifetime.
It's a damn good thing that Terri Joyce wasn't gonna take that nonsense sitting down. When her 4-year-old son with Down syndrome was told he needed to spend all his time in a classroom for kids with significant disabilities, Joyce fought – and fought hard. After paying out the wazoo for a lawyer and filing a due process claim, she managed to get her boy a seat in a classroom where he could meet with peers without disabilities. The change was like night and day – he started speaking again, was making friends, and actually looked like he loved school.
But the fight isn't over for Joyce and families like hers. Inclusion rates in Jersey are shameful, and it takes guts and cash to push for equal access. Even in districts where kiddos with disabilities are supposed to have a shot at learning alongside their peers, a lack of specialized services in general ed classrooms can mean those kids are still failing to get the support they need.
Here's the lowdown on the Jersey Department of Education's plan to boost inclusion: they're doling out training, technical assistance, and programs that promote inclusion across the state. They've even got a nifty website that breaks down data for each district by disability and grade level – so if you want to know how fucked your neighborhood school is, they got you covered.
While the state is claiming that placing kids with disabilities in special classrooms is a case-by-case decision, some are speaking up about the unwritten rule that kids with disabilities are cast into those self-contained classrooms based on a diagnosis. The holy grail of inclusion is the co-taught class – where a general ed teacher works alongside a special ed teacher to educate students with and without disabilities. But some districts, like Bernards Township, ain't interested in joining that party. In Bernards, parents are reporting intense resistance and even outright refusal when requesting co-taught classes for their kids.
So there you have it, folks. Jersey's special education scene is a hot shambles, and the fight for inclusion is far from over. These families are putting their money where their mouth is – and it's about time Jersey started listening. Bring on the inclusion – and the big wins for Jersey's kids.
Sources:1. State Education Department: New Jersey Department of Education Offers Voluntary Training to Increase Inclusion in K-12 Schools2. National Center for Education Statistics: Students with Disabilities in the United States: 20193. U.S. Department of Education: Guiding Principles of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
- The struggle for equal education opportunities in New Jersey continues, as special education integration rates remain significantly lower compared to the national average.
- The federal law mandates a chance for children with disabilities to learn alongside their typical peers in the general education classroom, an expectation that New Jersey fails to meet consistently.
- Advocates for education and self-development argue that integrating children with disabilities into general education classrooms can promote both academic and emotional growth, benefitting all students.
- The "co-taught class" model, where general and special education teachers collaborate, is considered the optimal approach for inclusive learning, but resistance from school districts and officials may hinder its implementation.
