EDP 656   Final Assignment

The Right To Be Disabled in School & Society

Dr. McMahon-Klosterman

Objectives of the Assignment

This course brings you into the professional and philosophical analysis of what it means to be ‘exceptional’ (outside the norm) in learning, behavior and physical functioning.  You have explored inter- and intra-individual differences comprising exceptionalities along with societies legal and cultural responses to exceptional individuals. Reflecting on the IEP you have written on yourself and the media characters (book and movie analysis), the outcome of the legal case you reported, the videos viewed in class and readings done, you are now asked to identify how the American education system needs to change if all students are to be included with full citizenship. Consider what aspects of the education system are most and least in accord with your vision of education and schooling.

Process

Step one: Week 5

Write a one-page paper on what keeps you teaching?

Share this with two others in the class and get feedback.

Rewrite this paper  (up to 4 pages) including what keeps you from teaching? What does work mean to you? Is it an experience of creativity, a source of joy and satisfaction? What makes it so or not so?

(Remember your writing on the first day of class in which you described a situation in which you felt excluded, devalued or unjustly treated. You also identified what you felt was the greatest injustice in your place of work and in school systems generally.)

Are there people in your life who have called forth your gifts for teaching? How did they do that? Have there been people who have hindered your gifts and development as a teacher? How?

Step two: Week 8

Write a one-page paper describing, from your teaching life and information from this class, what you most want to change in the education system for yourself and for students.

Share this with two others in the class for feedback.

Rewrite this paper (3-4 pages) including one suggestion as to how this change could occur. (Remember where you have experienced empowerment in your life and under what conditions)

Step three: Week 10

Write a one-page paper identifying who benefits from things as they are and who is harmed or disadvantaged with things as they are?

Share this with two others in the class for feedback.

Rewrite this paper identifying the barriers to making the change you have proposed and the existing supports for the change. You may have to think outside the box to identify places/people/events you don’t usually consider. Have you observed students and colleagues for whom school is drudgery? What could change this for them? (Remember what you identified as ways ordinary individuals exercise social control and influence social change).

Step four: Week 14

Combine all the previous papers into a cohesive article that problematizes your concern in education along with your proposed action for change. Give the rationale as to why this change needs to occur, who would benefit and how it leads to increased integration of persons with disabilities into full citizenship. Do you know a teacher who has an inclusive classroom?  What do you admire about that teachers work?  What worries you about that teachers work? Have you known anyone who made a radical change in the way they teach or a belief about teaching? Was it on conscientious grounds or discernment? Do you agree with the position the person took? Do you agree with the manner in which they made the change?  Have you known a teacher (or perhaps yourself)? What do you see as the most urgent educational need today?

How do you manifest your vision of education for children, meeting the vast array of needs of the children in your care? From where do you get your sense of direction? How do you make choices about where to place your energy/gaze in competing situations?  (Consider testing /teaching, providing related services/district finance and other dilemmas).

Has this class changed your perceptions of education and specifically, the notion of inclusion, in any way? Do you agree with the tone and view of the text?  Why or why not?

Goals

The goal of this project is to connect all the assignments to understanding the notion of ‘exceptionality’ and its educational and social consequences. You should begin to question your responsibility for effecting change as you learn the ‘customs’ of the education field.  You should be developing a plan for putting theory into action in your teaching life.

Grading/Evaluation:

Outstanding-