Schools have embraced special needs as a politically-correct term for students who have disabilities that the schools need to address. I have a big problem with this. All kids have special needs.
Students are highly variable. They are all unique individuals with unique personalities and unique learning styles. No two students learn the same way. We shouldn't embrace the special needs of the handicapped and neglect the special needs of everyone else. Instead, the schools need to embrace the fact that we are all different and so are our needs.
The schools have ultimately put a negative connotation on special needs. Kids with the label are viewed as inferior. A lot of children will hide what makes them unique, frequently even to themselves, to avoid the label. This encourages over-conformity.
The best society possible involves individuals pursuing their strengths and taking advantage of what makes them special. The schools have people fearing being different. That's what special needs are all about. Being different is considered to be inferior.
It's not just some children who who have special needs. It's all children. The schools really need to finally acknowledge that piece of common sense. Until they do, they will continue to fail when it comes to meeting those needs.
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