As an advocate for individualized education, Andrea Hermitt is critical of what does not work and excited about what might. This blogger of 10 years will examine the good and bad of education inside and outside of the classroom.

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Special Education is 33 years old. Where has it gotten us?

1 comment

December 1, 9:22 PM

by Andrea Hermitt, Education Examiner

(CC Steve & Jemma Copley /Flickr)

It's Special Education day (Dec 2). December 2, 1975 was the anniversay of the first special education law in the U.S. which was signed into law by President Gerald Ford. The purpose of the law is to celebrate reforms of the past and to consider new reforms for the future.

Personally I am a bit lukewarm about this celebration. Perhaps it is the disproportionate number of African Americans in Special Ed programs. Perhaps it the the slim chance that young people have of getting out of special ed programs once they are in. Perhaps it is the fact that I was put in special ed in the first grade and had to learn to read on my own. When my mom demanded re-evaluation I was moved to the highest level first grade later that same year.

I am not saying that special education programs has not helped specially abled children function in the world, but I just feel that it has "helped" far more children than needed the help.

Of course most of the problem is outside of special ed and instead on the evaluation process. Perhaps special ed should focus less on what kids cannot do and instead on what special gifts that child might have.

For more info: http://www.specialeducationday.com/

Topics: Special Education

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Notes from a homeschooling mom: Why we started

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November 29, 1:15 PM

Probably more odd than a homeschooling mom writing about education in general is the fact that I have nothing against public education. In fact, I believe that some children thrive quite well in public schools, and many even excell. Still... Read More
Topics: Notes from a homeschooled mom

P.E. optional?

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November 28, 10:50 AM

In school districts all over the country, as No Child Left Behind legislation works to improve test results, PE is getting squeezed out of curriculum. Some school districts are handling it well, others have no idea how to proceed. In Columbia... Read More
Topics: Education Issues , physical education

Low cost educational gift ideas for all ages

1 comment

November 26, 4:47 PM

For Babies and Toddlers: Get your kids a head start on foreign language, music, books, games, and toys. You can purchase Brainy Baby items at baby stores and boutiques. Use the store locator http://www.brainybaby.com/find-a-retailer.html ... Read More
Topics: Education Issues , Books , Educational Gifts

Obama’s choices for Education Secretary

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November 24, 10:24 PM

Rumors abound about who President Elect Obama whill select as the new Education Secretary.CNN’s Short list suggests Linda Darling-Hammond was education advisor to Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign and is also the Charles E. Ducommon... Read More
Topics: elections 2008

What does Obama’s choice of schools say about his stance on education

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November 22, 2:01 PM

I don’t presume to speak for President Elect Obama, but his choice of the prestigious Sidwell Friends School for his young daughters says a few things to me about his stance on education. Read: Obama's Choose Sidwell Friends... Read More
Topics: Politics 2008

Education cuts abound

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November 21, 4:59 PM

It seems that the knee jerk reaction to balancing state funds is to cut education. I guess it makes sense to not spend what we don't have, but how is taking away from kids going to do anything but compound the situation. How is cutting education... Read More
Topics: money

The view on homeschooling

4 comments

November 20, 1:46 PM

According to Joy Behar, they are demented. Fast forward to 6:10 for the comments related to homeschooling. What are your thoughts.... and why? ... Read More
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1 comment

November 19, 12:26 PM

One of the comments on yesterday’s article entitled Those crazy unschoolers suggested that the majority of unschoolers are Radical Unschoolers who don’t follow any design lessons or use curriculum of any kind. I don’t know that... Read More
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Those crazy unschoolers

12 comments

November 18, 12:39 AM

Many people confuse the terms unschooling and homeschooling and think that they are interchangeable. They are not…. Sort of. Unschooling is a form of homeschooling, meaning all unschoolers are homeschoolers, but all homeschoolers are... Read More
Topics: Home Education