1.

0 Introduction

The first article is “Special needs learners face obstacles” written by Rebecca
Rajaendram on August 24, 2014 in The Star Online. The writer tries to raise awareness of
the obstacles faced by special needs learners. The readers will be more understand about
special-needs students and special education in Malaysia.

The second article is “How teacher training hinders special-needs students” by

Jackie Mader, appeared in March 1, 2017 in The Atlantic. The text mainly about the general-
education teachers are lack of special education training. Thus, the writer tries to raise
awareness on the deficiencies of teacher training and ways to improve it.

2.0 Summary

2.1 Special needs learners face obstacles

The writer starts by narrating the problems faced by special-needs students to

access to quality education. The problems include the shortage of qualified teachers, speech
and occupational therapists and the limited support and funding. Moreover, the parents with
special-needs children were disappointed with the inadequate facilities and services
available at some schools and the lackadaisical attitude of some teachers. It was also lack of
schools or institutions that catered to these children. Next, no interaction between the normal
students and special-needs students. The students with different competency levels lumped
into a classroom. Besides, it is important to simplify the lessons for special-needs students
and they cannot be excluding from mainstream classroom. The early intervention is
important but it can be costly. The writer concludes that the government has to invest more
money to improve special education.

2.2 How teacher training hinders special-needs students

The article starts by telling Mary Fair’s teaching experiences. She had no idea on
how to handle the disabled students but over time she able to control the class. The
teachers need to have knowledge and able to teach special-needs students. However,
lacking of teacher training causes teachers are not prepared to make a shift. They lack of
time and support to implement individualized instruction. Furthermore, studies show that
inclusion classroom gives the special-needs students more instructional time, have few
absences, and have better post-secondary outcomes. General-education teachers and
special-education teachers need to work together in class. Teacher training also needs to

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include the learning of classroom management to keep students focused and on task. Lastly,
the dual-certification program prepares teachers to work with all children. The “inclusive
iSTeM” gives additional strategies to teach students with disabilities.

3.0 The Evaluation of the Article

3.1 Special needs learners face obstacles

The article has raise awareness of readers on the obstacles faced by special-needs
learners by referring to the opinions from parents with disabilities children. Example, the
writer interviewed housewife, Aminah Razali and knew that the problems faced is the
lackadaisical attitude of the teachers. I agree with this as the study “The effects of teachers’
attitudes on students’ personality and performance” by Mucella Uluga, Melis Seray Ozdenb
and Ahu Eryilmazc shows that teachers’ positive attitudes have positive effects on students’
performance and personality developments. A teacher will affect the students' views on life
and behaviour.

Next, the writer tries to give justification by using the signal word such as “because”
and “should”. It shows writer strongly persuade readers to believe in her point of view. I have
been persuaded by writer that the government should improve special education by invest
more money. According to an article published by Time Money in 2014, the cost of caring for
an autistic over his lifetime in US is RM5.4 million, based on a medical journal by JAMA
Pediatrics. From my opinion, the government have to invest funds into special education to
reduce parents’ spending on their special-needs children.

3.2 How teacher training hinders special-needs students

The writer success attracts readers to read by the strategy of “telling story”. The
writer tells the Mary Fair's teaching experience in the inclusion class so the readers can
understand the problems faced by general-education teachers in teaching special-needs
learners then stimulate readers’ desire to know more about teacher training.

Second, I agree with the point that teachers need to have knowledge and the ability
to teach. According to Michael Fullan on “The Role of Leadership in the Promotion of
Knowledge Management in Schools,” teachers must know students’ strengths, weaknesses
and learning styles so the students will be conscious of their own thoughts, feelings and
intentions.

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 Furthermore, the writer presents the studies and statistics to back up the points.
However, she did not mention the title and author of the studies and statistics. It may cause
readers cannot ensure the fidelity of a passage that the writer paraphrased. Example, "A
study in 2007 found ..." in paragraph 5. The writer should write as "According to a
study（title）by (author) in (year).”

4.0 Conclusion

Both texts are the excellent resource for students and educators in special education,
parents, speech and occupational therapists and the government authorities. The first article
focus on the obstacles faced by special-needs learners while the second article focus on the
problems faced by teachers. The articles are expected to improve readers' attention to
special education.

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5.0 Reference

Foorman, B. (2016). Challenges to Implementing Effective Reading Intervention in Schools,

CAD 154. Somerset John Wiley & Sons.
Guerra, J. (16 September, 206). How much does it cost to educate a student with special
needs? Nobody knows. Retrieved from http://michiganradio.org/post/how-much-
does-it-cost-educate-student-special-needs-nobody-knows
Mader, J. (1 March, 2017). How Teacher Training Hinders Special-Needs Students.
Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/03/how-teacher-
training-hinders-special-needs-students/518286/
Rajaendram, R. (24 August, 2014). Special needs learners face obstacles. Retrieved from
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2014/08/24/special-needs-learners-face-
obstacles/
Uluga, M., Ozden, M. S., & Eryilmaz, A. (2011). The effects of teachers’ attitudes on
students’ personality and performance.

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6.0 Appendix