Blog: Education Week’s Blog: Rick Hess Straight Up
Title: Even on IDEA's 35th, Special Ed Dollars Aren't Free
Entry posted: November 22nd, 2010
Here is my reflection upon Rick Hess’ thoughts regarding special education funds.
The main point being conveyed through Rick Hess’ blog Even on IDEA’s 35th, Special Ed Dollars Aren’t Free was the fact that our resources are indeed limited and we need to focus on reaching not only those with special needs but on all of our children. Hess praises Secretary Duncan’s speech about cost-effectiveness; although the tide turned when the anniversary speech Duncan subsequently spoke about had little follow though on the previous financial issues. Hess strongly adheres to thinking in the perspective of the most efficient method of spending and furthermore the most effective way to teach students.
These concepts discussed about special education directly relates to our class readings on equal opportunity and also ties into proponents of the achievement gap. In NCLB one of the main aspects is granting equal opportunity for all students. NCLB aims to close the achievement gaps among different groupings of students and this achievement gap includes classification of gender, class, race and it also includes students with special needs. Hess’ ideas also parallel the goals of public schooling in the respect that he feels that investing in students without special needs will yield better future leaders; and therefore boost the economy that much more. This human capital theory explains that students are simply government’s investments. Hess addresses the importance in spending smartly and focuses on the ‘large’ scope of students, rather than seeking to close the achievement gap. Hess’ opinions go against the view of equal opportunity and the efforts to leveling the playing field for all students in minority groups.
I strongly disagree with the author’s opinion about limiting spending on special education. I was shocked after reading this article and according to the blog’s response the issues raised likewise disheartened other followers. It is not to say I don’t agree that schools should be making cost-effective decisions, but abandoning a whole grouping of students is horrifying! All students deserve the right to an equal education and I strongly believe that not a single student should be held back from the education they deserve because of special needs. Furthermore, giving a student facing hardships an education can grant that student with a new and more promising future.
Rick Hess’ opinion presented in this blog mirror the beliefs of essentialism. In particular Hess makes it known that he feels that the funding should be flipped in-order for our nation to benefit the most financially. This thinking is closely linked with essentialism in the fact that essentialist think that one purpose of schooling is to make America economically competitive. Through Hess’ blog there is also a hint of unifying citizens, which is another core concept of essentialism. Hess ends his blog in saying that a balance of obligation should be provided to all children, meaning that a united common body of students should be established excluding the ‘special’ treatment of the special education students.
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