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March 26, 2025
Special education isn’t just for a few students—it benefits everyone in the classroom and builds a more compassionate, inclusive society. In this powerful piece, Dan Isenstein explains why defunding the Department of Education would harm all students by weakening the support systems that help them thrive.
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By Dan Isenstein
Some people believe that eliminating the federal Department of Education, which administers funding for special education programs, means kids without disabilities will get a better education. That somehow, by eliminating the administrator of about 10 percent of the funding for programs that help our special needs kids, lawmakers will increase funding for general education.
They think that defunding special ed will help put the focus back on teaching the basics: reading, writing and arithmetic. Some believe that the presence of special needs students detracts from the educational experience of other kids. And sadly, many believe that the money earmarked for special education could be better spent elsewhere. Nothing could be further from the truth.
First, let’s call out the elephant in the room: the belief that special education is for children with severe disabilities. It is still a common misperception that special ed students are severely challenged and unsuited for “real school.” It was only a few generations ago that severely disabled students were mostly segregated into special schools away from the general education population. That is outdated thinking.
The days of hiding special needs children at home or in a special school are over — and for the better. Special education often benefits kids far outside the stereotype. Many children with the potential to excel academically have emotional or behavioral issues that, if ignored, could become obstacles to their success. Other kids may require special attention to help them catch up and stay caught up, whether that’s with reading, speech, math or another subject.
So, myth busted: Special education is not just for “that” kid.
Special education is more than teaching students with obvious needs. Throughout the first years of elementary education, teachers and specialists are trained to identify children whose obstacles might not be so obvious.
In today’s busy world, far too many households require two incomes to survive economically. Families where the adults work full-time jobs and come home to busy households don’t always see the first signs that a child may have challenges. A quiet, shy child may come as a relief to a tired parent returning from a strenuous workday, or an overly active child may be viewed as excited to see the family. Public schools are uniquely set up to be the first line of screening to help identify kids with special needs.
And here’s the thing: If we catch these kids early enough, the specialists, support staff and teachers can help minimize any impact on their ability to learn over a lifetime.
The mission of public schools is to prepare students to be productive, responsible members of society. Part of that mission is to help identify children who may need extra help before that need becomes apparent and a child falls behind. It’s an important job.
Identifying students with special needs who might have otherwise gone unnoticed and underserved is just one benefit of strong special education programs in public schools. There are other, unseen benefits, including what students can learn from one another. When truly exceptional students with disabilities are included in the general education classroom, there are immediate, long-lasting benefits for all kids. Special needs students learn how to navigate the real world in a safe and supported way, maximizing their potential.
Understanding the mysterious world of human interaction is difficult for everyone. For a special needs student who may already experience a high level of isolation, social interaction is even more confusing. Inclusive classrooms allow them to watch appropriate behavior, practice conflict resolution and learn basic concepts that most people take for granted, like sharing, taking turns and saying “I am sorry.”
Many of our most challenged students are capable of learning skills that let them hold jobs and lead fulfilling lives. The more education they get, the more independent they can be.
One huge benefit of inclusivity is that exposure to special needs students teaches other children compassion and empathy, two traits that define character but have fallen into disregard.
Half a century ago, the people who are now deciding to eliminate the Department of Education were in elementary school with me. I remember when it was rare to see a special needs student in our classes. Some of my classmates could have used a little more exposure to empathy.
Sadly, all too often those students who were even mildly different, shy or easily triggered became the butts of ridicule, pranks and mean jokes. Today, kids with severe learning or mental disabilities are included in many general education activities like homeroom or classes like music, art, media, STEM and gym. Today’s children are much more empathetic.
If you could see how interacting with a vulnerable child brings out the best qualities in another child, you would understand the value special education programs add to our schools. Most kids in elementary school today don’t think it’s cool to bully special needs kids anymore. They understand that teasing a kid who cannot defend themselves is cruel and makes them look bad.
Sometimes, general education kids who are angry or show defiance start to develop maturity as they engage with a student who struggles. Perhaps helping a kid who struggles externally helps soothe some of the struggle that all kids feel inside.
What is the value of special education? At its most basic, special education creates opportunities for all.
We have started to learn as a culture that the people we used to think of as unable because they are “disabled” can be valuable contributors if we just take the time to include them.
People have been led to believe that eliminating the Department of Education will save money and give power back to states and local school districts. That simply isn’t true. The reality is that lots of students receive special education and support services. These are students you might not think of when you think of special education.
Closing the Department of Education will not eliminate our legal obligations to any of these children. These kids are not going to disappear. Closing the Department of Education will merely shift the financial burden to state and local school budgets that are already overwhelmed.
In reality, special education programs are a solid investment in helping students maximize their potential, gain greater independence and contribute to their communities.
Dan Isenstein is a special education paraeducator at Squires Elementary School in Lexington, Ky., and a member of Kentucky 120 United-AFT. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Antioch College and did postgraduate work at Bowling Green State University. He has authored a book as well as close to a dozen magazine and journal articles. He is the parent of a high school senior interested in filmmaking.
Republished with permission from AFT Voices.
In this collection, you'll find resources that address learning loss, loneliness and literacy through transformative strategies that can be sustained, integrated and scaled to help children recover and thrive.
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