Managing the Special Education Program in Batangas Province

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The special education program is an integral part of the educational system and is anchored with the EFA Goal of Education for All. This study aimed at identifying the management of the education of learners with special needs focusing on the exceptionalities that are being catered, teaching strategies, curriculum management, support system, and the monitoring tool and evaluation. This study would also like to investigate the challenges and constraints in its administration and the prospects in its implementation. The results of which will be used to produce a management guide that will help improve the management of the SPED program.

METHODS

The descriptive method of research was utilized in the study. The questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion were utilized as the main data gathering instruments.

RESULTS

The two groups of respondents did not differ in their responses regarding the status of Sped program relative to Children with Exceptionalities, Curriculum Management, Teaching Strategies, Support System and Monitoring and Evaluation Tools and Specifications. Among the challenges and constraints identified in the management of SPED Program where both groups agreed were the lack of financial support for the clinical assessment of SPED learners, big class size per disability and weak stakeholders support system. Respondents both strongly agreed on the prospects for the effective implementation of the program like enhance pre-vocational skills among ID learners, strengthen support system with the LGUs, train teachers for better instructional accommodation and modification practices and conduct benchmarking in other SPED centers to adopt best practices. They also strongly agreed that change of Children with Special Needs to Learners with Special Educational Needs, organize additional support for regular classroom teachers, encourage ICT utilization for better access to textbook and resources and strengthen the implementation of alternative modes of delivery schemes like home-based, community-based early intervention program for LSEN should be included in the implementation of the SPED program.

DISCUSSIONS

The researcher designed a management guide which focused on areas of concern, objectives, activities/projects, period and expected outcome/output. It is recommended that the proposed comprehensive management guide may be presented to school administrators for review prior to its implementation.