Special Education - 2147 Words

According to the democratic theory postulated by Amy Gutmann, citizens should be entitled to make rules that govern educational policies at national levels. These policies should reflect the ongoing scrutiny of the liberal principles of nonrepression (education may not proscribe deliberation pertaining to any particular set of rational ideas) and nondiscrimination (parents nor educators may espouse practices that may deter children from partaking in a democratic education). Importantly, the discretional power of these citizens should be constrained by those fundamental principles of nondiscrimination and nonrepression. The realm of special education and its historical background in conjunction with the many facets of nondiscrimination†¦show more content†¦Only through extensive advocacy and incessant effort by supporters of nondiscriminatory practices was the Federal government able to intervene and decide court cases in favor of the plaintiff’s who sought equality i n society. In fact, one 1950’s court decision revolutionized the realm of special education and helped positively effectuate today’s legal standard of nondiscrimination and equality. The most significant landmark desegregation case that catalyzed special education reform in the United States was Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954). In the summer of 1950, Oliver Brown and other African-American parents attempted to enroll their children in a â€Å"white elementary school† in Kansas. However, the parents were informed that their children must enroll in an African-American school. The parents being enraged decided to file suit against the Topeka Board of Education. Brown and other parents then sought the NAAP (National Advancement of Colored People). However, the state court of Kansas denied Brown and the NAAP due to the stipulations of the Plessy V. Ferguson doctrine which allowed separate but equal schools. The NAAP decided to appeal the case to the United States Supreme Court. Interestingly, during this time court cases in other states similar to the Brown case were being contested. The states that commenced these cases were Delaw are, South Carolina, and Virginia. These states in addition to Kansas of the Brown caseShow MoreRelatedSpecial Needs For Special Education1028 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction/Purpose Fitzgerald, Ryan Fitzgerald (2015) reported that it has been an increase of children identified with special education needs in different countries in Europe. One of the explanation for this influx is the definition of special needs recently changed, which caused more children to fall under that category. Since more children qualify for special education, professionals and parents need training and guidance on meeting the needs of those students. In Ireland, there is a challengeRead MoreEducational Education And Special Education1556 Words   |  7 Pagesover or coddled by general education teachers; teachers without the proper training, no less, expected to properly instruct these students with intellectual disabilities. Kids that are always expected too much of or doubted indefinitely. These are the children that don’t belong in a general education classroom. While mainstreaming, the act of blending general education and special education classes, can possess benefits for both general education and special education pupils, it should not be implementedRead MoreEssay special education11975 Words   |  48 Pagescan cause hip dislocation and deformed bone growth.   No treatment may be currently available to lessen Davids impairment. Disability:    Davids inability to walk is a disability.   His level of disability can be improved with physical therapy and special equipment.   For example, if he learns to use a walker, with braces, his level of disability will improve considerably. Handicap:    Davids cerebral palsy is handicapping to the extent that it prevents him from fulfilling a normal role at home, inRead MoreHistorical Background Of Special Education Essay1605 Words   |  7 Pages2011 according to the National Center for Education Statistics 13 percent of the total number of enrollment in the public school were receiving federally supported special education programs†. (National Center for Education Statistics) The goal of special education is for all students with or without a disability to be educated in the least restrictive environment. It is the common belief that special needs students should be placed in the general education classroom with their non-disabled peersRead MoreSpecial Education And The Benefits Of Technology1639 Words   |  7 PagesSpecial Education and the Benefits of Technology in the Classroom Special Education is a type of instruction designed to help disabled and gifted children use their full learning abilities. Many special needs children work in regular classrooms for most of the school day. These students also work with specially trained teachers for part of each school day. These teachers work with helping them to overcome their disabilities. These sessions are usually held in a classroom called a resource roomRead MoreIntegrating Special Education Children596 Words   |  2 PagesDisadvantages of Integrating Special Education Children in Regular Classrooms Few topics have as much controversy as inclusion of children with special needs in regular classrooms. Few professionals question the appropriateness of inclusion of students with disabilities in regular classes. However, significant debate about which students should form part of the general education classes and the time they should spend in those classes persists. This has led to two groups, one for, and the other againstRead MoreSpecial Education Philosophy Paper2449 Words   |  10 PagesDescribe own special educational philosophy in terms of its metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and logic. My Philosophy of Special Education is that special education is teaching children who have special needs, which can interfere with their learning abilities. I believe special education compared to general education is merely an extension of services in helping all children learn. Learning is a process through which we increase our knowledge as a result of the experiences in our lives. WeRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Inclusion For Special Education Essay1626 Words   |  7 Pagesthis paper I am going to be talking about the pros and cons of inclusion for Special Education children. By definition, Inclusion rejects the use of special schools or classrooms to separate students with disabilities from students without disabilities. Special Education is a topic that is important, even though people may not realize how important it is for the fact that they don’t understand what goes into Special Education for children in schools. â€Å"Negative beliefs many people have about individualsRead MoreGeneral Education And Special Education930 Words   |  4 PagesCo-Teaching Expectations Division of Labor General education and special education teacher are require to work together as a team to ensure the students in the inclusive classroom setting is learning with the accurate accommodation and tools to fit their needs. The general education and special education teacher work together to create a lesson plan to which it targets all areas of learning for all students in the inclusive classroom setting. Both teachers should sit together to discuss their concernsRead MoreSpecial Education Reflection1329 Words   |  6 PagesRunning Head: REFLECTION PAPER Reflection Paper En Tseh Wang Lehigh University Special Education 332 (Education and Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs) has been enlightening for me as a secondary mathematics educator. In the beginning of the semester, my feelings towards special education were those of apathy and insensitivity. I now understand that my feelings were due to my lack of knowledge and my judgment based on stereotypes. I always knew that making fun of students

Childhood Obesity An Epidemic - 834 Words

In the United States, childhood obesity is an epidemic and in the past 30 years, childhood obesity have had nearly tripled. There are 31 % of American children and adolescents are either overweight or obese. And according to the numbers, more than 23 million of American children are either overweight or obese and more than 12 million are obese (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2013). The complications of obesity in the childhood period are broad, those include but limited to: hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disease, cancer, asthma, psychosocial problems, and obstructive sleep apnea. The annual cost of childhood obesity in the U.S. is $14 billion that result from direct health expenses, and this will maximize the burdens on health care budget of the United States. So, without implementation of prevention programs for childhood obesity, a financial disaster would occur in the nation. The risk factors for obesity in children include: poor diet, lack of exercise, while the main contributing factors for childhood obesity are lack of healthy options in schools, lack of physical education, lack of open space for safe recreation activities, lack of parental knowledge and low rates of breastfeeding, fatty food industry marketing due to social and cultural factors, and availability of low price beverages (CDC, 2014). The rates of obesity among U.S. children are alarming to take actions; in 2012, the obesity has raised from 7% in 1980 to 18% in ages 6-12 yearShow MoreRelatedObesity : Childhood Obesity Epidemic1418 Words   |  6 Pageshis article â€Å"There is no Childhood Obesity Epidemic† discussed the there is a â€Å"stunning† drop in childhood obesity rate. He claims that obesity rates among two to five year olds have plunged over the past decade, and that the so called â€Å"obesity epidemic† had ended. I strongly disagree with Campos view tha t there is no childhood obesity epidemic, this is due to the researches that was done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which shows that childhood obesity has more than doubled inRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Childhood Obesity1216 Words   |  5 Pagesintervening in order to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity claim that, â€Å"parents who strive to keep their kids healthy may not have all the tools they need to do so† (â€Å"Childhood Obesity.† Issues Controversies). Therefore supporters agree that the government â€Å"should step in and enable parents to do the best job they can† (â€Å"Childhood Obesity.† Issues Controversies). Joe Thompson, â€Å"director of the Rober Wood Foundation Center to prevent Childhood Obesity† claims that not all parents are ableRead MoreChildhood Obesity : An Epidemic876 Words   |  4 PagesChildhood Obesity Childhood obesity is more than a major issue in the United States: it is an epidemic. The number of overweight and obese children in America has increased at an alarming rate over the past years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years [1]. American Heart Association stated, â€Å"Today one in three American kids and teens are overweight or obese; nearly triple theRead MoreChildhood Obesity : An Epidemic1036 Words   |  5 PagesRainsu Kumbhani All About Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is an epidemic in U.S. In the year of 2012, about â€Å"one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.† Also, percentages of childhood obesity have increased by over ten percent in the last thirty years in children and adolescents (Childhood Obesity Facts 2015). These statistics are shocking, and many people are concerned for the health of their children. This medical condition, as defined by Mayo Clinic, leads to seriousRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Childhood Obesity Essay1053 Words   |  5 PagesThe Epidemic of Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity continues to increase substantially each generation, especially here in the United States. Today, children have become more lazy while eating unhealthy and in excess. This trend ultimately results in increased healthcare problems throughout their life. Childhood obesity has increased because children eat in excess, they are allowed to eat food which is unhealthy, they lack the exercise needed to maintain a healthy weight, and are permittedRead MoreChildhood Obesity : An Epidemic Essay1641 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood obesity is an epidemic in America. Many experts like doctors and dietitians have narrowed the epidemic to a few causes some being lack of exercise, genetics, and food insecurity. Exercise and genetics could lead to obesity in the way that you need exercise to burn fat and some people are genetically more inclined to store more fat. Obesity is having excessive amount of fat that could lead to other health problem which is scary to think that childhood obesity is something that is on theRead MoreThe Epidemic of Childhood Obesity2154 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction Childhood obesity is an epidemic that goes on throughout the United States. Studies have shown how obesity in children may start, and how it affects each and every child in America. Childhood obesity has been getting attention in the media from famous celebrities all the way to the First Lady of the United States. There are many things that cause childhood obesity and very few ways to stop it. However, there are people out there who are trying to help by getting children active, eatingRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Childhood Obesity3013 Words   |  13 Pages The epidemic of childhood obesity Childhood obesity is an important issue because of this diseases impact over the past few years. With the changing of lifestyles, the production of children who are not as healthy as they should be has increased. Due to these results, a widespread of children being obese has occurred. The Center for Disease Control, CDC, distinguishes between being overweight and being obese. Overweight simply means that the weight is high compared to others in the same height categoryRead MoreChildhood Obesity : An Epidemic Essay1954 Words   |  8 PagesChildhood obesity is not merely an issue in the United States- it is an epidemic. The number of overweight and obese children in America has increased at an alarming rate over the past years, and there is no chance of it slowing down unless action is taken. Obesity puts children at a high risk of developing many serious illnesses. Not only do children who are obese have unhealthy weights, but they also have a high risk of having weak lungs, poor blood quality, and a variety of other sicknesses. Par entsRead MoreChildhood Obesity Is An Epidemic878 Words   |  4 PagesChildhood obesity is an epidemic that has been spreading around the United States like a wild fire in a dry field, increasing more and more without much resistance to stop it from spreading. The SPARK PE program was created in 1989, and aims to be that resistance against childhood obesity, with carefully planned programs in hopes of showing the youths of America that exercise and proper nutrition can lead to a successful, healthy life (SPARK). SPARK aims at achieving this goal by carefully planning

Why, according to Lee Kuan Yew, are Western democratic systems unsuited to East Asia Free Essays

Lee Kuan Yew, prime minister of Singapore between 1959 and 1990, and now Senior Minister of his country, commands much respect and influence in both the East and the West. This respect and influence reaches to the highest echelons of world leaders, to the vast multitude of academics, commentators and development strategists, and to the millions of people who live in East Asia. Regardless of whether or not this esteem is justified and deserved, ti is real, and therefore must be analysed, interpreted, criticised or praised while not forgetting the importance and effect his beliefs and proclamations have had, and will have. We will write a custom essay sample on Why, according to Lee Kuan Yew, are Western democratic systems unsuited to East Asia? or any similar topic only for you Order Now Any discussion of world politics, especially in East Asia, cannot ignore the hows, whys and wherefores of the current situation and the influence that current ideas and thought may have on the future. Lee’s views have undoubtedly shaped his own country, certainly have influenced other governments in the region, and will definitely bear their markon the short- to mid-term future of East Asian politics. This explains the reasons why this essay solely deals with him. The essay is divided into three main sections. Firstly, I will discuss Lee’s ideas and policies, and why he believes in an ‘Asian values’ view of the politics of the region. Secondly, I will explore some of the responses that have been made in opposition to his views, and thirdly, I will present some observations and conclusions of my own. These observations will draw on some other problems and inconsistencies with Lee’s ideas. Let us turn then to the man and his ideas. The central theme running through any study or discussion of his political ideas and actions is the importance that culture has on shaping the society and its structures. The shared history, traditions, make-up, worldview and social relationships are the key factors that determine how a state should be organised and governed. Thus, if the culture is different between two sets of peoples, then the resulting state structure and government type will also be different. Culture is the driver, the basis of society and the legitimacy used by those in power to decree what is best for their people. This viewpoint is often referred to as the ‘Asian values’ system (Ng, 1997, Theodore de Bary, 1999, Hague Harrop, 2001) and is summed up succinctly by the title of a famous interview with Lee which appeared in a 1994 edition of Foreign Affairs – ‘Culture is Destiny’ (Zakiria, 1994). The importance that Lee places on the cultural aspect of a society does not mean that what is right for his country is also right for other countries. Whilst consistently dismissing Western-, and in particular, US-style democratic systems as valid models for Singapore, he does not suggest that the US-style system is neccessarily wrong for the US. It is not my business to tell people what’s wrong with their system. It is my business to tell people not to foist their system indiscrimately on societies in which it will not work (Zakiria quoting Lee, 1994, p. 110). This can be seen as a statement recognising the particularity of political systems depending on the society / culture in question. Whilst Lee has been described as being authoritarian, semi-, or soft-authoritarian, he certainly doesn’t make claims for the world to be based on an Asian values system. It appears that his position is more concerned about keeping hold of power in Singapore rather than exporting it around the world. The main, fundamental as Lee calls it, cultural reason why Western democratic systems are unsuited to East Asia is the difference between the place and status of the individual in those societies. The fundamental difference between Western concepts of society and government and East Asian concepts†¦ is that Eastern societies believe that the individual exists in the context of his family. He is not pristine and separate. The family is part of the extended family, and the friends and the wider society. The ruler or government does not try to provide for a person what the family best provides (Zakiria quoting Lee, 1994, p. 113). This focus on the moral and virtuous notion of society is stongly linked to Confucianism, so often portrayed as being fundamentally East Asian and always compared with Western systems. Lee’s manifestation of this doctrine is used by him to legitimate and promote an East Asian society based on strong hierarchical structures to bring about social and political stability. In the East the main object is to have a well-ordered society so that everybody can have maximum enjoyment of his freedoms. This freedom can only exist in an ordered state and not in a natural state of contention and anarchy (Zakiria quoting Le, 1994, p. 111). These three main features of Lee’s take on East Asia’s political and social climate – culture, the place in society of the individual, and a well-ordered society – are admittedly affected and influenced by the West over time, and are not seen as developing without the impact of colonial rule and imperialism. †¦ ur Confucianism has been attenuated by 120 years of British rule and education in British and other English-speaking universities (IHT, 2001). But, despite this impact Lee steadfastly denies any further infusion of Western democracy into East Asia, especially Singapore. †¦ this doesn’t mean we are going to be like a Western society. The values are different (de Borch, 2001). L ee is not the torch-holder for everyone though. Whilst he receives praise from his counterparts around the world, there are many in the academic and development strategist world that strongly disagree with him. Of course, it is not just a simple case of disagreeing over a matter of opinion, there are many valid and strong arguments against Lee’s ideas. From this myriad of arguments, I have identified three main strands of contestation – historical arguments against Lee’s ‘Asian values’, the theoretical arguments concerning discussions of what democracy should be and how it should be followed in East Asia, and the problems and criticisms of the actually existing governing style of Lee. First then, arguments against Lee taken from history. There are two key aspects to this – the relevance of Confucianism to East Asia today, and evidence of a democratic tradition throughout East Asia’s past. Famously, Max Weber theorised about the particular contribution to advanced capitalism of the ‘Protestant ethic’. This, in turn, explained how other cultures, including Confucian cultures, were not suited to advanced capitalism. Clearly this can now be questionned, especially if, as many commentators have said, that East Asia is economically dynamic. If Confucianism explains the economic boom in East Asia today, does it not also explain that region’s stagnation for four centuries? Zakiria, 1994, p. 125). Kin Dae Jung, writing in response to the ‘Culture is Destiny’ interview, identifies a strong tradition and history of democratic ideals and institutions in East Asia’s past. This suggests that an argument could be made for ‘Asian values’ actually referring to a much more democratic system than the Confucian-based one that Lee propagates. A thorough anaylsis makes it clear that Asia has a rich heritage of democracy-oriented philosophies and traditions. Asia has already made great strides toward democratisation and possesses the necessary conditions to develop democracy even beyond the level of the West (Jung, 1994, p. 91). The second major criticism of Lee comes from studies of the theoretical nature of democracy and what it means, shuold mean, or can mean to East Asia. The basic premise is that why should democracy only be relevant to particular cultures and why should particular cultures have to follow other political paths? This highlights the argument for democracy’s universality. There is nothing special about torturing the Asian way†¦ human rights are human rights (Vatikiotis cited by Hague Harrop, 2001, p. 29). The rejection of Western-style democracy by East Asian leaders is also seen by some as merely an excuse for not moving beyond ‘soft-authoritarianism’ and into democracy. This is strongly tied up with the observation that this is simply the most effective way for leaders such as Lee to rule their countries. The biggest obstacle is not its cultural heritage but the resistance of authoritarian rulers and their apologists (Jung, 1994, p. 194). The third area of opposition to Lee’s ideas that can be identified is that of problems with the actually exisitng state and society structures and institutions. For some, just observing Lee’s form of rule is enough to reject his notions of what is the correct way to govern. These doubts stem chiefly from the Singapore government’s undeniably harsh treatment of the opposition, as evidenced in its most recent elections (Ng, 1997, p. 21) Also, there appears to be two threats to the whole ‘Asian values’ theory. Firstly, we have on the one hand Lee purporting to leave the individual’s private matters to the individual, whilst on the other it can be observed that his government is actually intruding into the private sphere more than ever (Jung, 1994, p. 90). Secondly, an external threat is apparent from the global spread of modernisation. †¦ as an inevitable consequence of industrialisation, the family-centred East Asian societies are also rapidly moving toward self-centred individualism. Nothing in human history is permanent (Jun, 1994, p. 21). In conclusion it must be said that Lee’s position in East Asia, and his reverance amongst Western opinion-formers should not distract us from dissecting and criticising his ideas. It is not good enough to assume that cultural traits should determine, worse still, justify the actions of governments, particularly Lee’s. There should be certain aspects to a government and society that are unacceptable no matter what setting. Lee makes much of the need for a ‘well-ordered’ society. The heavy-handed way this society is brought about blatantly contradicts Lee’s notions of freedom. He talks of East Asians being able to have â€Å"maximum enjoyment of his freedoms† but Lee’s notion of what is behaving and what is misbehaving sets a Singaporean’s realm of freedom for him. This is certainly not the freedom that John Stuart Mill wrote about. It could be argued that it is better to have a society that is not so ‘well-ordered’ but democratic, than it is to live in a society such as one that Lee envisages; faith must be placed with society to check its members’ activities rather than have all aspects of life limited by an all-seeing government. Lee’s ways may also only be suited to a small state such as Singapore. Even he admits that, within that small population, total control is practically impossible. This for me leads to the heart of the importance placed by Lee on ‘Asian values’ and why Western ideas of democracy are unsuited to East Asia. It is very hard to escape the conclusion that the justification of ‘Asian values’ is solely a political smokescreen to maintain power. It is even harder to escape this conclusion when the man himself proclaims: So when Americans tell me: you ought to govern in this way, I say thank you very much, I have listened to you very carefully, if I don’t think we are ready for that, I have to do it my way (IHT, 2001, my emphasis). How to cite Why, according to Lee Kuan Yew, are Western democratic systems unsuited to East Asia?, Papers