Special Education in the United States: Examining Strengths and Weaknesses

This thesis is an exploratory study to examine the strengths and weaknesses of special education in the United States. Researching special education is important for understanding the history of special needs education, improving policies and support systems, and ensuring that educators can effectively and equitably support students with special needs in diverse learning environments. A historical and contemporary overview of special education is presented; two case studies of schools in the Delaware Public Elementary School System were conducted. Guided conversations with a teacher from each school were also conducted. Topics that were investigated include Collaboration, Availability and Use of Supports/Resources, Professional Training, Classroom Environments, and the Future of Special Education. Both teachers have very similar burnout experiences in their schools, specifically during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and both agree there is a need for more extensive and supportive training for special education teachers. Results also suggest there may be some patterns of inequity in special education due to unequal access for disadvantaged groups. Suggestions for improving special education are discussed.