"special needs" student population

the term "special needs" is used in 2 equally disingenuous & manipulative ways.

for the first, it is a category where children with minor learning disabilities such as dyslexia or mild adhd are lumped in with children who have major issues such as autism or cerebral palsy. the minorly disabled and the majorly disabled are both underserved in this model.

for the second, it is a euphemism for children who cannot walk, cannot feed themselves, cannot communicate... some can merely lie in the floor wearing diapers. these children simply cannot be mainstreamed, should not be in public schools, are a distraction from the education of the children who can be educated in the public school setting, are a misuse of education funds. these children should be provided for in another setting.

the special needs population is not what is wrong with our schools -- but the existence of the special needs population speaks to the misuse of our schools as a catch-all for all children, a misguided notion that all children "deserve" equal treatment & opportunity.