The difference between USA and New Zealand's special education - Research Paper Example

The difference between USA and New Zealand's special education Education is one of the most integral components of each individual's life. By incorporating various sources, one seeks to acquire knowledge which helps them to build up their personality. Education not only helps them to develop a social process but assist individuals in their growth. Education is a complete code of life which polishes their upbringing. Education is an ongoing process which develops their learning and starts from the day a child is born. Each day is a new day which helps one to gather new information. Social learning is thus also of immense importance and very essential for building the character of people. An individual acquires knowledge from the environment and thus shares with the society. Thus education is the basic right of all individuals as it not only makes him responsible, enlightened and knowledgeable but also develops the character of individuals. Thus it is believed that education is the basic right of all individuals and all people irrespective of cast, creed and culture are born with the right to acquire education. Special education is basically the education of individuals with special requirements. This education is designed in a way that it caters to the needs, requirements and cope ups with the differences they possess. Today all governments are trying their best to develop and nurture their education system. Hence considering the needs to special children universally, such kindergarten, schools, colleges and universities have established. Considering that people are the workforce of any developing nation and they are the ones who contribute to the growth and development of the economy and the wellbeing of the society. "In New Zealand, the Ministry of Education, Special Education (GSE) is responsible at national, regional and district level for strengthening the Ministry of Education’s overall special education direction and for providing special education services to children and youngpeople with educational, social, behavioral, and communication needs.(EducationCounts)This system has been established on the basis of United States of America. USA is one of those countries that have been an initiator to such programs thus following its footsteps New Zealand has developed it Special education policy. Both these countries lay immense stress on the propagation of education hence free education is provided to all dwelling within the region. Furthermore the teachers who assist these children which special needs are also provided with trainings that are specifically designed according to the task they are responsible to perform. "In the United States of America, state-licensing systems set entry-level standards for special education professionals."(Farrell, 2009) A lot has been done in both countries to give such children with equal status hence some schools also provide education to special children in the same environment as normal students so that they get the same status and normal students learn to respect and value people with disabilities. The United States of America has made it a condition for all the states to provide standardized special education to all individuals. (Latham, 2008) Those who fail to do so will not be provided funds by the federal government. One of the most important efforts by the government of America to provide quality, free and equal education to these children is that a team is established which meets the child's parent in order to evaluate and determine the educational needs of the child. Furthermore it is there task to design courses according to their needs, perform placement tests, modify the program, organize counseling programs and cater to any other requirement that the child might have. Also it is the requirement of every school to meet up to the individualized education program IEP and report to the federal state about its implementation. However parents have the right to refuse to accept special assistance for their child. "Success for All – Every School, Every Child, is the Government’s vision and work program to achieve a fully inclusive education system. It builds on the views of more than 2,000 people from across New Zealand who made submissions to the Government’s Review of Special Education 2010." (Success for all, Ministry of education)This is one of the best initiates taken by government of New Zealand in this regard. Furthermore considering that extracurricular activities play a very important role in the development of an individual."For these children, it is important to praise their efforts and to understand that having a learning problem is a significant." ( Wilmshurst, 2005) Hence these special children are provided with facilities in both the countries so that they can even participate in such programs. They are provided with assistance as well as the activities are designed in a manner that it helps in their development. Apart from this these special children are mostly blessed with certain talents which makes them distinct from others thus in order to polish those skills special assistance, positive environment and reinforcement is provided so that the skills of these children are polished. The government of New Zealand is trying their best to make their program better and more effective. Hence in a nutshell, the government of New Zealand is trying its best to develop is special education. Since this program was established on the basis of America's Special education it still has many new aspects to unfold. Although the policies and initiates taken by both the countries are quite similar in nature and are designed in such a manner that they cater to the growing and diversified need of the children but there are certain inefficiencies that need to be countered. Furthermore it is also required that society also contributes in the generous cause by respecting the special students and their needs so that they can overcome and feel equal. This will not only develop confidence in such people but will also help the state in their efforts. WORKS CITED: Principles and practices in early intervention: A literature review for the Ministry of Education - Education Counts. (n.d.). Welcome to Education Counts - Education Counts. Retrieved August 2, 2013. Farrell, M. (2009). The special education handbook: An A-Z guide. London: Routledge. Top of Form Wilmshurst, L., & Brue, A. W. (2005). A parent's guide to special education: Insider advice on how to navigate the system and help your child succeed. New York: AMACOM. Success for All – Every School, Every Child - Ministry of Education. (n.d.).Welcome to the Ministry of Education - Ministry of Education. Retrieved August 2, 2013 Latham, P. H., Latham, P. S., & Mandlawitz, M. (2008). Special education law. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Bottom of Form Read More