Trump plan to cut Education Dept. sparks fears for families of special needs students - NBC News

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I have teaching special needs students (pre-K to Grade 8) for 8 years

as a substitute teacher. One particular student has gone from just recognizing letters and printing them with an ink pad to reading words with comprehension (ages 6 to 13). I am so proud of him. He has his days where he's frustrated and doesn't want to work, and then there are days that he just excels.

Part of our program is individualized learning with one teacher or aide to one student. Each student has an individualized program of activities. Yes, some of it is repetitious, but they learn and they remember. The goal is for them to become semi-independent, if not outright independent.

The kids take pride when they accomplish a new challenge. They aren't afraid. They aren't insecure. They work and they work hard.

IMO, sometimes I believe they are more fortunate than their mainstream peers as they learn on their own terms in their own time.

I hate the idea of this type of classroom to be denied the federal funds to continue. My fear is that our state, our county, and our town won't have the funds to replace the reduced money. Taxpayers think they're paying too much property and state taxes right now. (Not to mention rents going up to reimburse the landlords.)