Lesson 5: History of American Education

Some of the historical landmarks I am seeing in the classroom that I volunteer in are the following:

Section 504. I see that there is a student that has difficulty in being able to form thoughts and place in on paper in a written format. Most people can pick up a pencil and write on whatever topic on the drop of a dime. This student struggles so the teacher allows this student when writing papers to draw out what story they want them to write about and put their thought process into creating a fictional story. This helps the student get their brain moving and the pictures are used as a key to help them in the creation of their story when they actually type it up.

American Disabilities Act. The school that I volunteer at is a triple story building and there are many steps to get up to all the floors. Those students that have wheelchairs there are elevators and doors that provide access for those that need such accommodations.

Individuals Disabilities Act. I am not an expert on all the laws that go into helping students that are at a disadvantage compared to their peers, but I feel like this law is the most helpful for those that struggle in their learning. This allows the teacher to build IEPs to the students own personal situation and be able to accommodate and structure lessons toward that student. I have seen this the strongest in the class that I observe in. I saw some students in the resource room that were first graders that were learning letters as if they had never seen the letters before when I know that students should be introduced to those letters in kindergarten but with this law teachers can help students get caught up that may be behind others.

Schools have progressed so far from what they were a hundred years ago, Brown vs Board of Education was a landmark that includes all races in the process of learning an education and that all are entitled to it and I believe this can even extend to those students that may be disabled. Even schools are helping those of different cultures that may be at a disadvantage due to language barriers be able to overcome their differences so that they can learn the topics taught in school. The school that I observe is a duel language enrollment which students learn English and Spanish and this is good for those students that have no idea about english and helps those born here to learn a second language. I think this is good to help students not feel ostracized for their language differences and puts all students on the same level as each other.