Classes adequate but not equal for special education students in Frisco
By Chloe Young, 11th grade, Centennial High School
In public school education, Frisco has proved a force to be reckoned with. Students excel in academics and various sporting and fine arts programs. However, one area of the district is yet to receive such limelight- Frisco ISD’s special education program.
A majority of North Texas school districts met their statewide special education requirements, according to a report, by the Texas Education Agency in March 2017. It’s no surprise that publicly perceived all-star districts, like Frisco, Mckinney, and Plano met such goals, however, the majority of special education students don’t enjoy the same opportunities as their general education peers, even in the fastest growing and most funded of North Texas’ districts.
According to people who work in special education, Frisco ISD could be setting high expectations for surrounding cities, and ultimately, the state, when it comes to special education programing.
“I wish that there was more funding to provide even better service because there’s more out there we as a school district and as a country could do, but a lot of the money and resources are really not focused on this particular area versus general education,” Centennial High School’s special education clerk, Marthecia Smally of Centennial High School, said.
While general education students at Centennial High School attend diverse courses and electives, on multiple sites, those in special education are confined to a singular hallway in the school. Visiting only one or two classrooms a day, special education students remain hidden from the general student body.
Frisco ISD has undertaken initiatives, such as providing student aides for the special education PE classes, however, the number of students aware and involved in these programs are few. Due to a lack of student involvement, opportunities for student in special education to interact with their peers, through clubs like “Best Buddies,” haven’t yet come to fruition.
The ever-present divide between opportunities for students of general and special education were recognized by the Texas Education Agency in January 2018, according to The Texas Tribune. In response to reports that the state had violated laws by limiting the number of students allowed into special education programs, the TEA has sought to enforce greater monitoring and overall funding, for Texas’ special education.
“In January, the U.S. Department of Education demanded Texas require school districts to identify and provide special education services for students who need them as well as ensure school districts find students who may have been illegally denied evaluations for special education in past years,” according to the Tribune.
Smalley said it’s good that Frisco is, at least, making an effort.
“I am impressed [with Frisco], because there are a lot of school districts that are not fortunate enough to have certain programs to be able, or services, to provide for special needs students, on any level,” Smalley said. “With the resources that they have made available to ensure that all of the students have an opportunity to have an education, on their level, however that can be, in Frisco, I’ve noticed that they have.”
Smalley said she is mostly satisfied with her experience within Frisco ISD. She’s worked the past four years in special education, first as a student aide and now as special education clerk.
Despite all efforts to provide Frisco ISD students with a “normal high school experience,” school remains much harder for herself and the special education teachers and students. It’s an issue, Smalley believes, that runs much deeper than state legislation and lack of funding.
“I think and wish that, as a whole, if the student body, teachers and staff, wouldn’t be afraid or so focused in on their normal, to just stop by or to try and figure out how their students can get involved with some of our special needs students,” Smalley said, “it makes a stronger community.”
