CHAPTER 2

FOUNDATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

This chapter presents the very foundation of special

education program. This includes philosophy, goals and
objectives that guides on the implementation of the program
and are basis of internalization of students what special
education is all about. Furthermore, provides knowledge to
students some principles as well as history of special
education. In order to have basis on the practice of teachers
in teaching learners with special needs, theories and legal
basis are also presented in this chapter.

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 Module 1
Philosophy, Vision, Goals and Objectives of Special Education

LEARNING At the end of the lesson, the students must have:

OUTCOMES 1. recognized the importance of the philosophy in special education;
2. written personal philosophy in special education and;
3. reflected the written philosophy as applied in the practice of a profession.
ACTIVATE

 What is your observation on the picture?

 Would you like to share your understanding on this image?
 How this image relates to your personal, daily life and decision?

ACQUIRE
Philosophy according to many authorities refers to a way of thinking about the world, the
universe, and society. It works by asking very basic questions about the nature of human thought,
the nature of the universe, and the connections between them.

On the question of what is philosophy of education it is very clear that it is the branch of
applied or practical philosophy concerned with the nature and aims of education and
the philosophical problems arising from educational theory and practice.

Meanwhile, teaching philosophies express ones’ values and beliefs about teaching. They are
personal statements that introduce the teacher to his students, colleagues, community in his
practice of profession.

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What about philosophy of special education? Let us see.

Philosophy, Goals and Objectives

The State shall promote the right of every individual to relevant quality education regardless
of sex, age, breed, socio-economic status, physical and mental condition, social or ethnic
origin, political and other affiliation. The State shall therefore promote and maintain equality
of access to education as well as the enjoyment of the benefits of education by all its citizen.
(BP Blg. 232)mental condition, social or ethic origin, political )

Every child with special needs has a right to an educational program that is suitable to his
needs. Special education shares with regular education basic responsibilities of the educational
system to fulfill the right of the child to develop to his full potential.

Special education shall aim to develop the maximum potential of the child with special needs
to enable him to become self-reliant and shall be geared towards providing him with the
opportunities for a full and happy life.

The specific objectives of special education shall be the development and maximization of
learning competencies, as well as the inculcation of values to make the learners with special
needs a useful and effective member of society.

The ultimate goal of special education shall be the integration or maintenance of learners with
special needs into the regular school system and eventually in the community.

The goal of special education program of the Department of Education all over the country
is to provide children with special needs appropriate education services within the mainstream
of basic education.

These policies and guidelines shall apply to all schools, centers and classes (national or local,
public or private, formal or non-formal) established under the educational system of the
Philippines for the education of children with special needs.

Vision for Children with Special Needs

The state, community and family hold a common vision for the Filipino child with special needs.
By the 21st century it is envisioned that he could be adequately provided with basic education.
This education should fully realize his own potential for development and productivity as well
as being capable of self- expression of his rights in society. More importantly, he is God- loving
and proud of being a Filipino.

Some Samples of Philosophy, goals and objectives

The general philosophy of special education is that all people have the ability to learn,
regardless of their particular disabilities. The trend in public education has shifted from

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isolating special education students in separate classrooms to mainstreaming them in the regular
classroom for at least part of the day.

Every child with special needs has a right to educational programs that is suitable to his
needs.

Special education shall aim to develop the maximum potential of the child with special
needs to enable him to become self-reliant and shall be geared towards providing him with the
opportunities for a full and happy life.

Special Education philosophy is on the belief that that each individual with a disability is
entitled to the support necessary to maximize his potential.

In the inclusive education philosophy, it stressed the participation of students with exceptional
needs in inclusive settings which is based on the philosophy of equality, sharing, participation
and the worth and dignity of individuals.

The objective of special education is on the development and maximization of leaning

competencies as well as the inculcation of values to make learners with special needs for them
to become useful and productive members of society.

One objective of a school for learners with special needs are to ensure that children are safe
and cared for, that their social and emotional needs are met and supported, and that they have
the required supports necessary for them to reach their true academic potential.

There are some samples of objectives on special education.

1. To create an effective climate for learning by sharing all available information about a child’s
disability pertinent to the child’s performance in an educational setting.

2. To provide and implement program and testing accommodations as stipulated on the IEP.

3. To facilitate each student’s academic progress and social development by establishing

appropriate goals and providing instruction.

4. To support and act as a resource for classroom teachers working with students with special
needs.

5.To encourage students to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses so that they can become
good advocates for themselves in all settings

Another objective of a special needs school are to ensure that children are safe and cared for,
that their social and emotional needs are met and supported, and that they have the required
supports necessary for them to reach their true academic potential.

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Some Sample of Goals of Special Education

The goals of special education are the same as those of education for normal children—to
teach each child up to the level of the child's abilities

In the Philippines, the ultimate goals of special education is on the integration or maintenance
of learners with special needs into the regular system and eventually in the community.

It is also the integration or mainstreaming of learners with special needs into the regular school
system and eventually into the community.

APPLY
If you are to make your own philosophy in teaching in the context of special education, what
should it be? Write your answer on this space. You may look for references to guide you how
to write it.

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ASSESS
Write your realization on how your philosophy in special education plays its role in future
practice in the teaching profession.

REFERENCES

Gines, Adelaida C., Gregorio, Julieta A., Quijano, Yolanda S. (2007). Introduction to Special
Education. Manila, Philippines. Rex Printing Company, Inc.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/201603/the-3-big-questions-
philosophy

https://study.com/academy/lesson/special-education-definition-types-philosophy.html

Learning Theories and Special Education - A Child With Needswww.achildwithneeds.com/

education learning-theories.

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