Not 'Business as Usual' This massive statewide initiative requires a strong staff development program for teachers providing direct instruction. Maintaining the same pedagogical practices and classroom organization with 20 students that were used with 30 students will not necessarily result in the student achievement gains intended with this legislation. It must not be business as usual. Eventually there could be a slowing of the growth in special education programs and a consequential lessening of the need for additional funding. But we ought to make sure that those who simply are having a difficult time learning to read are given the attention they need in the early grades, so they don't wind up in special education or going through life discouraged because they didn't learn to read.
Concerns remain regarding the program's eventual impact.
Advisory Commissioner Larry Siegel is concerned the class reduction would create budgetary pressure which in turn would have a direct and negative impact on special education. He also worries that unless very strong communication comes from the department to local education agencies, class reduction efforts will go forward without the necessary understanding of special education needs. But McNulty hopes successful collaborative teaching practices and effective accommodating of students with special needs in the general education classroom will continue. This doesn't cause us to move away from that. We must make it the best lemonade we've ever made.