OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Back to school this year means significant changes for the Osceola County School District as it consolidates Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services for children with special needs.
This shift has sparked concern among some parents who criticize the move to place many ESE students in general classrooms. However, district officials maintain that this change will benefit all students.
The district serves children with a range of learning challenges, including cognitive, hearing, and vision disabilities. Dr. Rene Clayton, Deputy Superintendent of the Osceola County School District, said that the restructuring aims to address the diverse needs of all students more effectively.
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Starting this school year, many ESE students will no longer be taught exclusively in separate classrooms. Instead, they will be integrated into general education settings.
“They will have exposure and opportunities to work together and understand each other better and be more accepting of one another, and that this will teach empathy,” Dr. Clayton said.
Discussions to include various types of students in the same classrooms started several years ago and are now being put into action.
“It is not for financial reasons at all,” Dr. Clayton clarified. “It is decided because we have challenges with making sure that we have enough people that are fully certified providing the highest-quality services and having the greatest outcomes for our students.”
More than 13,000 ESE students in the district will be affected by these changes. Nevertheless, a few schools will continue to provide specialized services for students with the most severe challenges.