The main difference between special education and general education is that special education is a separate system of education designed for the needs of differently-abled children, whereas general education is provided for physically or psychologically less challenged, typically developing students.
Special education mainly differs from general education in two ways. It uses different instructional methods and techniques. Furthermore, it employs professionals with specialized skills such as specialized teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, social workers, etc., who are different from regular general classroom teachers.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Special Education
– Definition, Features
2. What is General Education
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Special Education and General Education
– Outline of Common Characteristics
4. Difference Between Special Education and General Education
– Comparison of Key Differences
Education, General Education, Special Education
What is Special Education
Special Education programs are designed to cater to the needs of the students who are physically, mentally, emotionally, or socially delayed, which places their development behind their peers. In other words, this educational system involves students with special needs, hence the name ‘special needs.’
Special education teachers have to focus on individual students where they have to design their lesson plans to fit the needs of each child. Their main task is to provide support and instruction to facilitate the participation of students with special needs. Moreover, special education does not always take place within the traditional classroom. A special education teacher might have to work in a number of environments, including the traditional classroom, outside the traditional classroom, and in resource rooms, etc. Special education must have the ability to cooperate with students outside of the traditional classroom. Different work environments allow for the varying needs of a wider population of special needs students to be fulfilled.
Instructional Techniques of Special Education
Unlike in the general education system, within the special education system, teachers use different instructional techniques. These instructional strategies can be either modifications or accommodations. An accommodation is a rational and practical adaptation to teaching practices, where the student learns the same content but in a more approachable format. A modification, on the other hand, adjusts the teaching material to make it less complex. For instance, within a modified special education system, special needs students may need less information than typical students; they might get simpler and shorter homework or assignments in comparison to less challenged students. Similarly, special needs students may get permission to use a calculator while other students are not. Moreover, even students with a slower learning speed may get extra time for assignments to facilitate their comprehension of questions.
What is General Education
Regular education is the term often used to describe the educational experience of typically developing children – children who are mentally, physically, emotionally, or socially emotionally less challenged. In comparison to the special education system, general education is designed to meet the needs of general classroom students as a whole. Therefore, an individual child-centred approach is not visible within the general education classroom.
Focusing on the responsibility of the general education teacher, his/her main role is to design, plan, coordinate, schedule, and evaluate the general curriculum and instructional outcomes within a secure and inclusive classroom environment. In brief, they are responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of their general classroom students.
In addition, in the general education classrooms, the students frequently receive whole-group instructions. The methods of instruction include lectures, writing, discussions, group projects, case studies, and independent student projects.
Similarities Between Special Education and General Education
- Both special and general systems of education include educators, academic content, different methods of teaching, and a physical setting.
- Moreover, both special and general education can take place within the mainstream classroom.
- It is possible to find similarities in their academic content.
Difference Between Special Education and General Education
Special education is a system of education designed to serve the needs of differently-abled children, whereas general education is provided to the physically or psychologically less challenged, typically developing students.
Teaching and Learning Environment
General education is provided inside the regular classroom, whereas special education can be provided both inside or outside the regular classroom.
Unlike a general education classroom, a special education classroom demands additional professionals with specialized skills such as specialized teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, social workers, etc. beyond the regular general classroom teachers.
A special education classroom uses instructional strategies such as accommodations and modifications. This is not visible inside the regular classroom, where all the students follow the same syllabus and instructions.
Unlike in the general education system, an individual child-centred approach is implemented within the system of special education
In brief, the main difference between general education and special education is that general education includes the educational experience of typically developing, less challenged students while the system of special education caters to the needs of students who are mentally, physically, emotionally, or socially hindered, consequently slowing down their learning process. However, both systems of education aim at providing students with proper education, catering to their varying learning styles and paces.
1. Ho, Fuk-chuen, and Cici Sze-ching Lam. “Special Education and Integrated Education in Hong Kong.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education.
2. “General Education.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
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