National Special Education Day Recognition

On December 2nd, National Special Education Day commemorates the anniversary of the nation’s first federal special education law. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law on December 2, 1972. 

IDEA made education available to all children and this day honors the progress that has been made in special education. The law stipulated that children with disabilities have a right to the same free education that every other child has access to. Before IDEA, many individuals with disabilities received little to no education. Schools were not required to make accommodations for children with disabilities. IDEA resulted in many changes beyond bringing students equal education. The integration of students also helped to remove the stigma of disabilities.

Thank you to our Exceptional Learner Educators, Support Staff, Families, Advocates, and Scholars!  Through the work of all, we will achieve inclusive excellence!

This photo was from a recognition of the NFA Unified Team at a Board of Education meeting last year. In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. That makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away. Unified Champion Schools promotes social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams (Special Olympics Unified Sports) through inclusive student clubs, together in school or community-wide initiatives, and by fostering youth leadership. In 2018, the NFA Unified team was undefeated.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!