Importance: Why Should We Care?

For teachers, this issue will be very prevalent in our careers, and it is important to recognize both why this issue is important, and the role of teachers in combatting it. General Education Teachers are the first “line of defense” between students and an incorrect diagnosis that might constrict them or fail to provide for them. Teachers are typically the adults to request screening of individuals for disabilities, and they are the first ones to be asked about how a student acts in the classroom, which could impact that student’s eventual diagnosis or resources. Additionally, it is important for teachers to recognize this issue, so that they can use their power in the evaluation process to question assumptions or generalizations about students that might otherwise be used to determine their supports. General Education Teacher voices are extremely important in the evaluation process for Special Education, and it is important that teachers know the value of their viewpoint in this process so that they can advocate for making their voices heard.