Comparing Special Education and Regular Education

Regular and special education are the primary systems to help students learn, grow, and prepare for life’s next steps. Regular education, or general education, is what the majority of students will go through. In contrast, special education is designed to help meet the needs of those with disabilities or delayed/impaired development.

There are key differences between general and special education regarding goals, purpose, curriculum, classroom environment, and teaching methods. Below, we will discuss these differences to provide greater insight and awareness, which can be helpful for students, parents, and teachers.

What is General Education?

General education refers to the typical educational system most students experience. It is designed for the average learner and intended to help them develop a wide range of skills, such as mathematics, literature, sciences, history, and writing.

Through the variety of classes that students take in general education, students also develop critical thinking, reasoning, social and communication skills, helping them succeed in occupational, social, and general life settings. ^[1]

General education occurs in the typical classroom setting, which one teacher almost always leads. Students are largely independent in general education. Teachers give lessons in the front of the room while the students learn and take notes. Group work is also implemented.

The curriculum follows typical standards set by the state or other relevant governing body. Students complete various assignments and take quizzes and exams, affecting their overall grades. To pass, they must reach a certain level.

What is Special Education?

Special education is designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities or other learning impairments. Like general education, special education aims to help students learn, grow, and enhance their overall development.

However, there are key differences in how this is achieved. For example, special education is much more individualized to each student’s needs. Unlike general education, special education teachers interact more directly with their students to provide the additional support they need to learn effectively. With this more direct and supportive approach, special education helps students with disabilities to learn and grow. ^[1]

Special education can occur in a separate classroom or be integrated within general education as long as the teacher has appropriate training. In fact, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with disabilities should be placed in the least restrictive environment, meaning many will be in general education classrooms if their needs can still be accommodated. ^[2]

Individualized Education Programs

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are plans implemented for special education students to help meet their unique needs and goals. Several steps are taken to create the most appropriate IEP.

First, parents or guardians will meet with the relevant school district. The district will then evaluate the student to see if special education services are needed. Under the IDEA Act, 13 categories qualify a student to receive an IEP. These include: ^[1]

• Autism
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Emotional Disturbance
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

Some categories, such as medical conditions, will be easier to identify than others. So, careful time and consideration are needed.

After the specific disabilities are identified, the IEP will be developed. It will contain written statements that identify the student’s needs, outline learning goals, and describe the services they will receive. ^[3]

Special Education vs. Regular Education: Teaching Methods

One area that differs between special and general education is the teaching methods used.

In general education, teachers often implement one-size-fits-all lessons. That is, they give the same lesson, lecture, or presentation to all students in the classroom. Students also participate in individual assignments, discussions, and group work, all of which are primarily independent and require little direct intervention from the teacher.

By contrast, special education involves more direct teacher-student relationships, with the teacher working closely with students and providing more frequent feedback and assistance. ^[1]

If special education students are situated within a general education classroom, the teacher will use differentiated instruction methods that align with those students’ needs. This may mean going through content slower, using additional teaching methods (e.g., visual aids), or explaining concepts in alternate ways. ^[2]

Lastly, compared to general education teachers, special education teachers typically use a wider variety of strategies, monitor their students more often, and collect data more frequently to monitor progress. ^[1]

Special Education vs. Regular Education: Classroom Environments

There are a few notable differences between general and special education classroom environments. These include class size, layout, and available resources.

Class sizes are much larger in general education. While it varies from school to school, general education classrooms typically have around 15 to 25 students, whereas special education classrooms will have at most 15 students and, more often, less than 10. ^[1]

General education classrooms typically feature a teaching area at the front of the room, with student desks organized throughout. The classroom may also have a smartboard, computers, whiteboards, and other educational tools. These rooms will also have standard lighting and sound dynamics.

Special education classrooms typically have a main teaching area and specific areas for one-on-one instruction so the teacher can work more directly with each student. Desks may also be arranged in a horseshoe shape to bring the students closer to the teacher.

Depending on the exact disabilities, these classrooms may also implement a variety of modifications, such as soft lighting, soundproof walls for hypersensitivity, or more comfortable/appropriate chairs for individuals with a physical disability. Special education classrooms also feature a variety of assistive technology tools depending on what’s needed, such as voice-to-text tools, graphic organizers, and screen readers. ^[1][4]

Special Education vs. Regular Education: Benefits

Effective education benefits students with and without disabilities, ultimately fostering growth
and opening up opportunities.

First, we can consider the benefits of general education for “typical” students. The education they receive gives them a strong foundation in various skills needed for work and life. ^[1]

These students develop key social skills by integrating with peers and learning to cooperate and communicate. Lastly, education helps students recognize their passions and interests, which can, in turn, lead to further knowledge and development in those areas. ^[1]

There are also many key benefits of special education. For one, it allows students to get the more specialized and appropriate support they need. Students in special education can experience significant growth and development just like any other student, and specialized instruction allows this to occur. ^[1]

Special education can also help students feel included and integrated, especially when they are in the same school as other students. This can help them develop essential social and emotional skills.

Special Education vs. Regular Education: Challenges

Students in general and special education face various challenges. The nature of these challenges is determined by the classroom environment, teaching styles, and each student’s strengths and weaknesses.

That said, general challenges occur more often in general education than in special education. For example, students in general education receive less direct attention due to the larger class size. This can make it hard for them to learn new concepts, especially for students struggling with a particular lesson or subject. Alternatively, some students may find learning certain concepts easy and become bored.

Students in general education may also face various social pressures. For one, they may feel obliged to compete with other students, leading to worries about performance and progress. The large number of students in general education classrooms may also raise concerns about fitting in and establishing friendships.

Special education students also face several unique challenges. One difficulty is the stigma surrounding special education. Peers may negatively judge students in special education classes, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. Teachers or other adults may stigmatize these students, even if unintentionally.

In addition, many students in special education are at least partly separated from the other students during the day. This, combined with the smaller class size, can make students feel isolated or disconnected from their general education peers. This may also lead to difficulties in forming quality relationships and a solid social identity. ^[5]

Finally, special education students may face challenges related to the specific learning plans and IEPs. While these plans are tailored to each individual, they may have to be modified or adjusted over time, which can cause stress and confusion. Furthermore, there is often a push to move students into general education environments, even when this may not be as appropriate, which could negatively impact their learning. ^[5]

Transitioning Between Educational Systems

All students must be placed in the environment that best suits their needs. However, certain students may need to transition between general and special education, so particular attention must be paid to placing them in their ideal learning environment.

Regardless of the specific transition, the process involves several steps, such as progress evaluation, collaboration between teachers, and communication with parents.

For example, students demonstrating significant progress within a special education program may have their IEP reevaluated. In some instances, this will transition back into general education. The special education teacher will collaborate and communicate with all relevant general education teachers, and from there, a decision will be made. The school will also notify the parents or guardians of any changes, ensuring they stay informed throughout the process. ^[2]

Once the child is in a general education setting, the focus will be on monitoring progress and the child’s ability to handle the different coursework. The IEP will be revised to align with the updated goals. If necessary, general education teachers will be notified of any support or accommodations that may be needed.

The transition from general to special education may also occur, especially if the child has significant difficulties, making optimal learning impossible. In these cases, the IEP will once again be reevaluated and updated. ^[2]

Ultimately, the goal is to put each child in the ideal environment for the best learning outcomes. As long as careful consideration and evaluation are utilized, all students can achieve this.