Entry #4

http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/16116986/enq5kwqhibk0vowwqzv

MORAL DILEMMA Students with leaning disabilities often need modifications in their assignments in order to minimize the impact of their disabilities and to facilitate their success. Kevin's IEP, for example, includes extended time on exams, no penalty for spelling errors on essays written in class, and ability to use the computer for extensive written work. You are Kevin's high school English teacher, and one of your students has protested that giving these accommodations to Kevin is not fair. The protest is growing, and now several students have voiced their resentment of Kevin's special treatment.
Blog about:
A. How will you handle this?
I will inform the rest of the students that Kevin needs this extra help, and it's not just an easy way out for him; he still has to work hard. Also, I would remind the students that I always offer extra help either in the morning before classes or afterschool if they ever have trouble with any of the assignments.

B. What are your personal beliefs about this issue, and how will your beliefs affect your professional decisions?
I feel that there are exceptions for students needing extra help, and there is no excuse for a student to say that they never were offered any help from their teacher. I'm not saying every teacher has the time every day after school to help their students, but there should be other teachers willing to help explain any material to students in a way they would understand. For my own students I will make and plan extra time for my students to get help if needed; this could be done during recess, lunch, or after school.

C. What does “fair” mean in the educational context for individuals with special learning needs?
Students with special needs are still given assignments related to and similar to assignments done by the rest of their classmates; however, they are given extra help. All of the children, with or without a learning disability need to realize that they will not have everything handed to them; they will need to learn responsibility and earn people's respect by how they treat others and what they learn throughout life, especially in their education.