Government Support For SEN Students Heading To College Under Microscope
Higher Education Act: For upon |There are nearly 7 million disabled students in the United States, all of whom have various and complex Special Education Needs (SEN), according to the most recent data released by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2018. This has seen a sharp increase since the figures released at the turn of the millennium, with 2001 statistics showing 6.3 million students with such needs. SEN students now account for 14% of the national public school enrolment, and there are huge concerns regarding government provisions put in place to ensure that these students are given the appropriate level of care and support to thrive in an academic setting.
College Students Particularly Affected
For young adults in higher education, the thought of enrolling in college and meeting new people can be daunting enough. For those with disabilities or special educational needs, such stresses are largely magnified. The Department of Homeland Education notes that in the decade between 2006 and 2016, the number of special education teachers in colleges decreased by 17 percent, while the number of students requiring special provision only dropped by 1 percent during the same period, as reported by EdWeek.
Such statistics make for concerning reading when it comes to the educational prosperity of SEN students. and while students aged 3 to 21 are guaranteed the right to free public education and appropriate special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), teacher-student ratios at the college level have shown little sign of improvement.
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Disabilities range widely, from those with learning difficulties to those with cerebral palsy. With cases on the rise within the United States, particularly for those around college age, the Cerebral Palsy Family Network, (cpfamilynetwork.org) notes the value of alternate therapies such as aquatic remedies for those living with cerebral palsy to form the basis of a strong learning environment. Through research efforts, they have found that aquatic treatments for cerebral palsy can not only have a great effect on movement but also act to stimulate the brain, potentially helping students further their education.
The COVID Generation
The emergence of COVID-19 and the large-scale shift to online learning for colleges across the country has brought with it unique challenges for SEN students. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in late 2016 on Americans ages 18 and older found that students with disabilities express lower levels of comfort when using technology, with 23% saying they never go online at all, compared with 8% of non-disabled adults.
When it comes to absorbing educational material online, SEN students face similar challenges, with the same study showing that only 39% of those with SEN describe themselves as having a “high level of confidence” in their ability to use the internet and other communication devices to keep up with information, compared to 65% of adults without SEN.
Now, more than ever, ensuring that the appropriate provisions are put in place to ensure that SEN students can not just survive, but thrive, at the college level is of paramount importance. President Joe Biden has promised to look at the issue in upcoming educational reforms.
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