The PBS segment ( https://www.pbs.org/video/georgia-segregates-kids-with-disabilities-behavior-problems-1445556187/ ) on Georgia’s segregation of students with disabilities
Sample Solution
I am unable to extract the information from the provided link. I will use Google Search to find articles discussing Georgia's segregation of students with disabilities and the rationale behind it, and then use browse to extract the information from the search results. I found some information about the rationale for segregating students with disabilities, but it appears to be about the Republic of Georgia, not the state of Georgia in the US. I will refine my search to focus on the state of Georgia and continue looking for the other information you requested. Here's an analysis of Georgia's segregation of students with disabilities, addressing the prompts in your discussion question, presented in APA format:
Georgia's Segregation of Students with Disabilities
The state of Georgia has faced scrutiny for its practice of segregating students with disabilities, particularly those with behavior-related issues, within a program known as the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS). The U.S. Department of Justice (2016) filed a lawsuit against Georgia, alleging that this practice violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by unnecessarily segregating students who could be served in more integrated settings.
Full Answer Section
Rationale for the Practice
While not explicitly stated by the state as a formal rationale, the segregation appears to stem from a belief that students with behavior-related disabilities require specialized, separate environments to receive appropriate mental health and therapeutic educational services (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016). This may be based on concerns about managing disruptive behaviors in general education classrooms or a perception that segregated settings can provide more focused support. However, the Department of Justice argues that with appropriate support and services, the vast majority of these students could participate in general education settings (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016).
Damaging Effects of Segregation
Segregation can have numerous detrimental effects on students with disabilities:
- Limited Social Interaction: Segregated settings restrict opportunities for interaction with non-disabled peers, hindering social skill development and perpetuating stereotypes (National Council on Disability, 2018).
- Reduced Academic Expectations: Students in segregated settings may not have access to the same curriculum, instruction, and extracurricular activities as their peers, leading to lower academic achievement and fewer opportunities for post-secondary education (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016; National Council on Disability, 2018).
- Negative Psychological Impact: Segregation can lead to feelings of isolation, stigma, and lower self-esteem (Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education, n.d.).
- Preparation for Adult Life: Segregated schooling does not adequately prepare students for adult life in the community (National Council on Disability, 2018).
Addressing the Issue
Georgia can address this issue by:
- Increasing Community Integration: The state should prioritize placing students with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, as mandated by the ADA (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016).
- Providing Adequate Support in Integrated Settings: This includes providing necessary mental health and therapeutic educational services, along with appropriate accommodations and supports, within general education classrooms (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016).
- Ending Unnecessary Segregation: Georgia should dismantle programs like GNETS that unnecessarily segregate students, transitioning them to inclusive models (U.S. Department of Justice, 2016).
- Professional Development: Provide training for teachers and staff on inclusive education practices and strategies for supporting students with disabilities in general education settings.
By prioritizing community integration and providing appropriate support, Georgia can ensure that students with disabilities have equal opportunities to learn and thrive alongside their non-disabled peers.
References
Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education. (n.d.). Reasons against segregated schooling. https://www.csie.org.uk/resources/reasons-against-seg-04.pdf
National Council on Disability. (2018). IDEA Series: The Segregation of Students with Disabilities. https://www.ncd.gov/assets/uploads/docs/ncd-segregation-swd-508.pdf
U.S. Department of Justice. (2016). U.S. v. Georgia (Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support Program) - Complaint. https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/us-v-georgia-georgia-network-educational-and-therapeutic-support-program-complaint
Would you like to explore any of these points in more detail, or perhaps discuss specific examples of inclusive education models?