Conceptualizing Special Education Services in Small Learning Communities

Abstract

The ills of urban schools are well documented. The challenges of recruiting and retaining quality teachers, student mobility, poor conditions of school facilitates, and lack of parent involvement are only a few of the issues related to urban schools. Large comprehensive high schools are a staple of many urban school districts. This model of educating a large number of students in one school has come into question. The reduction in size of schools, especially large comprehensive high schools is now the focus of many school reform efforts. Lost in this discussion is the consideration of special education services and how special education services can be effectively integrated into any small school or small learning community restructuring efforts. A possible model of how special education services can be integrated into high schools restructured into small learning communities is presented, including considerations of benefits for students with and without disabilities.