{"id":136,"date":"2013-04-02T08:31:14","date_gmt":"2013-04-02T13:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/?p=136"},"modified":"2015-11-10T08:31:43","modified_gmt":"2015-11-10T14:31:43","slug":"should-wels-schools-serve-all-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/2013\/04\/02\/should-wels-schools-serve-all-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Should WELS Schools Serve ALL Students?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cFor I know the plans I have for you,\u201d declares the LORD, \u201cplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future\u201d<\/em> (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV 2011).<\/p>\n

As we read in the Bible passage above, God has a plan for each of us. What a blessing it is to remember this as we work with God’s children. God is guiding us every step of the way, ensuring that these children receive the message of God’s Word in a loving, caring environment. Our children come from many different backgrounds, with differing abilities. Some of these children may have various learning disabilities or special needs, including ADHD, autism, or giftedness. WELS schools should strive to serve these children. As you read this article, I want you to think about what we as WELS educators can do to help the children God has placed in our care and to keep these children at WELS schools.<\/p>\n

For nine years, I had the opportunity to teach many students in WELS elementary schools, including many students who had special needs. As the number of students diagnosed with special needs steadily increased (Smith, 2009), my goal was to help each student learn as an individual, according to his or her needs. It was evident to me, however, that not all WELS teachers had the same passion, or the education, to properly teach children with special needs. This saddened me. I believe training in this area is imperative, because many WELS schools serve students with varying abilities, both with and without disabilities.<\/p>\n

What will happen if the number of students with special needs continues to increase and the WELS does not have individuals properly trained in this area? What will happen to these students who are also children of God? What will happen to enrollment at Lutheran schools? These are questions WELS leaders and teachers need to consider. My hope is that these individuals will consider the role of WELS schools. WELS schools are Christ-centered. When staff cannot meet the educational needs of a student with a disability and thereby must send the student away, WELS schools have failed to provide the child with a Christ-centered education.<\/p>\n

After obtaining my master’s degree in cross categorical special education, I was determined to find ways to help keep students with special needs at our WELS schools, ensuring that each child’s needs were met, including the need to hear and learn God’s Word. Recently, in my doctoral program, I completed a study on special education in WELS elementary schools. I strongly feel that what I found, and the conclusions I drew from the data, communicate a great need to address special education at WELS schools.<\/p>\n

Research Study Findings<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through my study, I surveyed WELS elementary school principals to determine the number of resources available for students with special needs, the number of students with special needs WELS schools are currently serving, and principals\u2019 perceptions regarding the implementation of special education. From the target population of 312 principals, 86 individuals responded, yielding a 27.5 % response rate. Although the number of responses was much lower than expected, adequate information was derived from the data collection and analysis. The responding principals reported serving 871 students who are diagnosed with special needs and requiring accommodations \/ modifications in their schools. However, those same principals reported only seven teachers with degrees or certifications in special education. Currently, many WELS schools are ill-equipped to serve all students.<\/p>\n

WELS leaders and teachers should assess the needs at each educational facility and gain a better understanding of how to properly educate students with special needs. WELS teachers can take opportunities to learn about and obtain degrees in special education through programs including MLC’s new special education degree. MLC Vice-President David Wendler stated, \u201cWe envision some MLC students adding a special education major to their elementary education major and, upon graduation, being superbly qualified to serve not only as a regular classroom teacher but also as a resource for the school\u2019s special needs children, their parents, and other faculty members.\u201d<\/p>\n

As we move forward and steps are taken to increase the number of individuals educated in this area, the hope is that we will stop turning students away because of special needs.<\/p>\n

Written by Dr. Tracey Enser.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Enser is the elementary behavioral disorders teacher at Prairie Learning Center in Olathe, KS. She also served as as a first and second grade teacher for nine years at WELS elementary schools.<\/em><\/p>\n

References<\/p>\n

NIV (2011). The Holy Bible. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Smith, L. (2009). Schools face huge rise in special needs cases. Retrieved from http: \/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/education\/education-news\/schools-face-huge-rise-in-special-needs-cases-1831095.html<\/p>\n

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