WRITTEN BY BENJAMIN LaCONNER, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
If you visit one of our schools in Marshalltown, you will likely see students participating in unique learning activities. This may include baking for the Bobcat Cafe, learning phonics at one of our elementaries, or tackling complex problems for a business partner through our 3DE program.
You’ll also see that the Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) is at the cutting edge of exciting changes in special education that challenge the view that students with disabilities are less capable than their peers. This view dominated special education for many decades, but current research demonstrates that it is inaccurate. Achievement results show that the vast majority of students with disabilities are able to meet the same grade-level standards as their peers. Specific disabilities, such as dyslexia or ADHD, require tailored support. With these interventions, however, students with disabilities can meet ambitious grade-level goals. Having a disability does not imply reduced ability; rather, it indicates a difference in learning style that can be accommodated successfully in the classroom.
At MCSD, we are putting these best practices into action. The Special Education department works from a vision of All Means All: We believe all of our students can be successful. We push ourselves to find the right services so that every student meets challenging goals, regardless of disability status. Some accomplishments that we’ve been able to celebrate this year include increasing the percentage of time that our students with disabilities spend in general education classrooms, opening additional pathways to college credit, and celebrating students who have exited special education due to increased achievement outcomes. We were also proud to host a national conference focused on inclusion. The most exciting thing about these improvements is that they are good for all students. When our teachers collaborate and implement best practices for students with disabilities, the improved instruction benefits everyone in the classroom.
We have many goals yet to be accomplished, but we are proud of our progress. If you’re interested in joining in this work, please reach out to your neighborhood school to learn about work, volunteer, and partnership opportunities. We are committed to turning All Means All into a reality in Marshalltown, and we look forward to partnering with the community in this work.