A couple of weeks ago I received an email from a parent that has really set me to thinking about many things. Sometimes there are situations where students go way beyond the expectations of educators and achieve what was thought to be unattainable. When students exceed expectations we celebrate those great accomplishments and pat ourselves on the backs for a job well done. But, sometimes expectations are set so low that student growth and achievement are actually repressed. Sadly, this is sometimes the case with students that have IEP’s. Students in special education programs become labeled as those who “do not learn” as opposed to those “who learn differently” They are sorted into underserved groups, and are sometimes left out and are often left behind. Every once in a while a child overcomes great odds and makes remarkable progress despite the system. Sometimes it is a great teacher that makes the difference for a child with special needs, but without the diligent support and efforts of extraordinary parents many of the students in special education programs are doomed to low expectations and
