General Education vs. Special Education

Education causes a long-lasting shift in a person's thinking and ability to realize a selected goal. As we live in a diverse society, we need teaching methodologies and education programs to cater to different population groups.

Therefore, education is divided into two systems: general education and special education. Each one is crucial in our educational system, addressing different needs and fostering a more inclusive learning environment. Therefore, understanding both systems and what makes them different is vital whether you're an educator, parent, or policymaker.

Today, you're in luck! In this blog, we'll delve into general education vs. special education and shed light on the unique features of each educational system. We'll also explore the fundamental contrasts in teaching approaches, curriculum adaptations, and classroom environments.

Join us and gain a comprehensive understanding of the two educational models, allowing you to make informed decisions about your child or your future as a teacher. 

What is General Education?

General education refers to a broad-based curriculum and teaching methods offered in schools designed to serve the educational needs of the majority of students. This educational system focuses on delivering comprehensive education in a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, language, arts, social studies, science, and often physical education and technology literacy. 

The broad objectives of general education involve providing a foundational educational experience that prepares students for a well-rounded life. This includes cultivating the ability to think critically and solve problems, exposing students to diverse cultures and perspectives, fostering social skills, and instilling a love for lifelong learning. 

What is Special Education?

Special education is a branch of education designed to meet the unique needs of physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially delayed students. The main goal of special education is to provide these students with personalized instruction and resources, ensuring they receive an equitable education tailored to their specific challenges and strengths.

It also aims to provide special needs students equal opportunities to education as their peers in general education. Another key objective of special education is helping students develop academic skills as well as life skills, enhancing their ability to live independently and contribute to society.

To do so, special education encompasses individualized education programs (IEPs), which are custom plans created to address each student's unique needs. Simply put, special education isn't a one-size-fits-all approach; it varies greatly to suit the individual requirements of each student, empowering them to achieve their full academic potential and overall development. 

General Education vs. Special Education: Key Differences

The primary difference between general education and special education is that special education is designed for the needs of children from early age into teenage years. In contrast, general education is provided to physically or psychologically less challenged children.

However, the differences between these two programs go beyond the target student population and involve differences in curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom environment. Let's explore these differences in more detail. 

Curriculum of general education

The general education curriculum is broad and designed to meet the educational needs of most students, aligned with specific age and grade levels. The curriculum covers a wide range of academic disciplines, from science to the arts and humanities. These core areas ensure students gain foundational knowledge and skills essential for academic and professional success.

In addition to the core subjects, the curriculum also often features elective courses in physical education and technology, providing students with opportunities to explore their interests and talents. The general education curriculum also exposes students to different perspectives, allowing them to gain a broad view of the world. This way, it fosters overall intellectual, social, and emotional development. 

Curriculum of special education

Unlike the broad general education curriculum, the special education curriculum is tailored to meet each student's unique needs. It focuses on individualized goals based on the student's abilities, challenges, and IEP objectives, which evolve with the student's development.

While the curriculum includes academic subjects similar to general education, it also involves life skills and vocational training. Special education curriculum also utilizes customized resources to facilitate learning, including computers and other technological aids.

An essential feature of the special education curriculum is its flexibility to continuously adjust based on student progress and needs. Other adaptations and modifications make the special education curriculum different from the general education curriculum, such as tailoring evaluations to suit individual abilities, allowing students to learn at their own pace, and employing specialized teaching techniques. 

Teaching methods in general education

General education typically employs traditional teaching methods, such as whole-class instruction, group work, and differentiated instruction. Whole-class instruction involves teachers delivering information to all students simultaneously through lectures, presentations, and discussions. Teachers also employ group work to encourage student collaboration, allowing them to hone social skills and learn from one another.

Moreover, they utilize differentiated instructions to tailor teaching methods and materials to accommodate diverse learning styles and interests within the classroom. Strategies for delivering differentiated instruction include assignments, flexible grouping, learning contracts, mini-lessons, etc.

Teaching methods in special education

Unlike the whole-class instruction and group work teaching methods in general education, special education teachers use different methods to cater to the unique needs of special needs students. They individualized instruction, often through personalized learning plans, such as IEPs and targeted intervention, to improve learning outcomes.

Special education teachers also work in small group settings to provide a more controlled and interactive environment. This way, they can provide focused attention to their students.

These settings allow teachers to address individual challenges and foster closer student-teacher relationships. Moreover, they may include assistive technology such as text-to-speech, audiobooks, speech-to-text, and math notation tools to bridge gaps in learning and communication that they may encounter in their classrooms. 

Classroom environment in general education

The typical general education classroom environment often features larger class sizes, from 15 to 22 students. General education classrooms are designed to support a diverse student body with a standardized setup that includes desks, a central teaching area, and interactive technology like smartboards, projectors, and computers.

They also feature group work areas, spaces designated for collaborative projects, and group learning. Classroom walls are often decorated with educational posters, instructional materials, and student work. 

As these classrooms accommodate more students, they provide opportunities for students to interact with a wide range of peers. They also require more reliance on uniform teaching methods and classroom management strategies to effectively address and manage larger groups.

While the larger class sizes allow students to learn from each other through group activities and discussions, they also present challenges in ensuring all students are equally engaged and supported. 

Classroom environment in special education

On the other hand, special education classrooms accommodate a smaller group of students, typically ranging from three to ten students. The classrooms are designed to be tailored to create a supportive and effective learning environment. They do so through the customized layout to accommodate mobility aids and minimal distractions, soft lighting or quiet areas to cater to sensory sensitivities, and areas for one-on-one instruction or small group activities.

These classrooms also prioritize clear classroom roles to create a safe environment for students, especially those with physical or emotional challenges. By clearly defining boundaries and expected behaviors, special education teachers ensure the safety and comfort of each student in the classroom. Special education teachers also establish clear routines and structures to provide a sense of security and stability, which significantly benefits students on the autism spectrum or ADHD.

The accommodation that the smaller classes provide comes with numerous benefits for special education students and teachers. They allow each student to receive more personalized guidance and support.

At the same time, they allow teachers to tailor lessons and adjust the pace of teaching more effectively based on individual needs. Students also feel more comfortable participating in smaller, less intimidating settings. Lastly, a smaller class size allows teachers to manage and respond to behavioral issues. 

Conclusion

Both systems of education—general education and special education—aim at providing students with proper education, catering to their different needs, learning styles, and paces. General education provides a broad, inclusive approach designed to address the needs of a typical classroom.

In contrast, special education tailors its methods and resources to support students with unique challenges and learning differences. Understanding the differences between the two programs is crucial as it ensures each child receives the right support to thrive.

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of countless children and ensure all students receive appropriate support and education? Consider earning a Master of Arts in Teaching and deepen your expertise as a teacher. This advanced degree equips you with the tools to bridge the gaps and enhance the learning experience for all students. Embrace the opportunity to make a difference—your future students will thank you. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the meaning of general graduation?

General education refers to the completion of an academic program, typically at the primary school, high school, college, or university level. It signifies that a student has fulfilled all the requirements set by the educational institution to earn a diploma, degree, or certificate. 

What is it like raising a special needs child?

Raising a child with special needs can be challenging. It involves acquiring specific skills, such as caregiving and advocacy and demands a commitment of time and energy, which can affect relationships with other children, family, and friends. 

What is the general teaching approach?

General teaching approaches encompass various techniques and strategies, such as teacher-centered, student-centered, or differentiated instruction, to meet the diverse needs of students.