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Project Background Or "Why is this topic Important?"
Roughly 6 million students are currently receiving special education services in the U.S. This represents approximately 13% of all public school K-12 students. It means that if you are working with a class of 25 to 30 students, at least 3 or 4 of them will have been identified and qualified for special education support. (Source: 24th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2002).
In Illinois, the percentage (almost 15%) continues to be higher than the national average. (Source: 2003 Annual State Report on Special Education Performance ).
Since 1992, the percentage of students with learning disabilities who spend more than 80% of their instructional time in general education has more than doubled, from 21% to 45%. (Source: 24th Annual Report) to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2002). This table uses slightly earlier data (1998) to show that the increase in inclusion in regular classrooms has been true across all disability categories. For example, 18% of students with autism were spending 80% or more of their day in a regular education classroom. More detailed information (such as number and type of disability over time) is available from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES).
All of these statistics mean that school librarians, general education teachers, most children, and their families are more likely to have contact with someone who has special needs. As a result, more questions may arise amongst our patrons. In 1995, a Roper-Starch survey asked people where they would go for information on learning disabilities. The first source mentioned was family. The second source was a physician. And 51% of those responding said they would go to a public library for information on learning disabilities.
How well could YOU help these patrons? Take this ALA quiz to find out:
Test Your LD I.Q.: An Awareness Tool for Librarians_______
1.
About what percent of Americans have learning disabilities?
a. 1% b. 15% c. 25% d. 45%
_______
2.
What percent of students with identified learning disabilities drop out of school?
Note: This does not include those who are never identified and drop out.
a. 15% b. 25% c. 35% d. 45%
_______
3.
When the learning disabilities of young criminal offenders are addressed, what is their recidivism rate?
a. 2% b. 12% c. 32% d. 62%
_______
4.
Undetected or untreated learning disabilities have been found in what percent of adults with severe literacy problems?
a. 10% b. 30% c. 60% d. 90%True or false?
T F 5. Learning disabilities are neurobiological disorders.
T F 6. Being a “slow learner” is an indicator of learning disabilities.
T F 7. Learning disabilities run in families.
T F 8. People have learning disabilities all of their lives.
T F 9. People with learning disabilities are generally of normal or above average intelligence.
T F 10. Deficits in reading skills are the most common forms of learning disabilities.
T F 11. People with learning disabilities can learn to compensate for their conditions.Click here for ALA's answers.
More information on Learning Disabilities is provided by the National Center for Learning Disabilities in this overview chart. Special Needs can also refer, for example, to people with autism, those who are visually or hearing impaired, or those who have attention deficit disorder. Excellent Fact Sheets (in English and en Espanol) on these areas are provided by National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.
Over the last several years, the ALA has participated in a number of programs having to do with learning disabilities and special needs. Several of them, along with other valuable resources are highlighted on these pages. Please click on Our RESOURCES Link (here or on the side bar) for more information.
PLEASE SHARE WITH OTHERS:
Please let me know if you have suggestions for Book Titles, Web Sites or Other Resources. THANK YOU!
--Students with Special Needs--
last updated 11/10/04 by LDS