Hello All,

I am a college student taking Developmental Psychology and have been assigned an essay regarding the No Child Left Behind Act and the effects of the act on special education. For this assignment I need to interview a special education teacher who has been teaching special education for at least 6 years. If you are willing to help me I would greatly appreciate it. I have posted the interview questions below. Please feel free to reply with the answers to each question.

Thank You,
C. Roush

1.) What is a learning disability? What are some classroom/teacher practices that are effective with these kinds of learners?

2.) What is mental retardation? What are some classroom/teacher practices that are effective with these kinds of learners?

3.) What is a gifted child? What are some classroom/teacher practices that are effective with these kinds of learners?

4.) What is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder? What are some classroom/teacher practices that are effective with these kinds of learners?

5.) How would you best summarize the No Child Left Behind Act?

6.) What are your opinions of the No Child Left Behind Act in regards to special education and the different kinds of learners listed above?

7.) What has been the greatest obstacles to providing education to the children you teach?

8.) What has been the biggest surprises and rewards in your career?

9.) What would you like college students, parents and citizens to know about what you do?

Here is a crazy idea,

1 Call a local School

2 Ask to talk to a sped teacher

3 Ask if they would like to be interviewed

4 Set an appointment

5 Show up

6 Ask the questions and thank the teacher when done

7 feel good because you know you did the assignment as it was given to you

What you are doing is being lazy, and looking for the easy way out. While some one answers your questions, who may or may not be a sped teacher and who may or may not be a teacher at all, who may or may not have taught for 6 years in sped, you are lifting no finger to get anything out of your education. You obviously have no desire to do this assignment correctly so why not take the F like an adult.

The above quote is what was PMed to my by the OP. She has a point. I did not consider the circumstances. After considering the possible circumstances I cannot find a reason for her NOT to do the assignment as assigned. No matter what the circumstance is she can obviously communicate since the OP can use a computer. Because she can communicate she can conduct an interview. Via E-mail, or phone if she cannot get out. An interview is a two way conversation.

I stand by my original post. Sticking the questions on the net is the lazy way out. Education is effort.

Not a SPED teacher but for kicks and giggles I'm going to answer the questions.


Disorders that hinder one's ability to learn. Best practices include patience and persistence.


Developmental disability with functional intelligence below the norm. Best practices include patience and persistence.


Functional intelligence is above the norm. Best practices include patience and persistence. Teaching gifted students is as much of a challenge as those who have a disability. Be creative.


ADHD is an over-diagnosed disorder that some use as an excuse for misbehaving in class. Technically it is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and the inability to remain focused on tasks or activities. Best practices include patience and persistence. Help the student focus and stay on track with frequent reminders.


pipe dream



Unrealistic expectations for teachers.


NCLB. The documentation is overwhelming. It has reduced some districts to manipulating the numbers and we are so focused on standardized testing that we lose sight of actually teaching.


Surprise, summers off and 8-3 is a joke. Teaching is 3rd or further down the list of things I have to do. Some students really don't care if they learn or not. Rewards? A few "get it."


I work harder than they ever imagined. Education starts at home. You can't get valid answers for a survey on the net. It's a message board and we spend a significant portion of the time keeping each other sane.

Have to agree with Mark. There is a much better way to get the assignment done and actually learn the reality. "Circumstances" or not the fact is college courses, online or not, require work. If one is disabled and can't leave the home they are likely not enrolled in a program to teach. If it sounds harsh, assume that it is May and life isn't all that peachy.