When I was teaching, I was often torn about the labels put on my students. I taught behavior-disordered and learning-disabled students. Everyone knew it, even the other students. My “kids” as I called my students, knew they were labeled. It didn’t help when other students would make a point to tease my kids about going to a special class for the “bad” kids or the “dumb” kids. It didn’t help, even though I requested it be removed, to have the nameplate over my classroom door labeled with my name and “special education” under it. You see, this label was everywhere; it followed my students regardless of where they went. Everyone knew, and the results were not always positive.
From a special education teacher’s point of view, labels are technically necessary. First off, students that are in special education must be labeled in order for the state to recognize them. Without that label there would be no extra funding for that student. There would be no additional support staff to help that student at school. There would be no IEP for that student, which is a must in special education. You see; a label is necessary in that manner.
Does it need to follow the child around the school? Does every staff member need to know that child is labeled as special education? Technically yes. Every teacher or staff member in the school that he comes into contact with needs to be aware of the child’s behavior or learning plan. Therefore, the label is a must in the school setting.
What about the other students? The students in general education? Can we keep them from knowing that a peer of theirs is in a special class? I am finding out that the answer is no. This is where the label can become a negative. Students that are labeled as special education already know they are different, then to top it off, their peers may know and this opens up a whole can of worms. Other students are sometimes not so nice to the kids they know are in special education.
I wish I had ideas on how to keep kids labeled with their specific special education label, but somehow manage to keep it from peers of the students with the label. I believe by doing this, it would save the self-esteem of the special education student and perhaps, allow for an improved school year for all.
I ask this: What do you think should be done with special education labels?