I teach high school special education and many of our students are from low income families. Our community had a severe flood with oil contamination and many of the student's home have been condemned, displacing them with relatives and inadequate resources.
Don't count me out!! Most of our high school special education students have never been in general education math before. For many it began as a terrifying experience but has turned out to be the most rewarding one. They are meeting the expectations set before them and are working together with their peers. Like all schools, we face the challenge of raising our state assessment scores and this year the special education students will take pride in the experience. We also are involved in co teaching in math, English and science. Each student takes basic skills with a resource teacher who reinforces skills taught in math and English and works are weaknesses students need to meet everyday challenges.
We need 40 Texas Instrument scientific calculators (all the same model) so that our special education students will have access and the skills to use them before the test. At this point we are sharing 5 between at least 50 students so they must wait until one is available. This will allow each special ed teacher to have a set of 10 to keep in their room and take with them to the math class they co teach in.
For years, special education students have been placed in the resource math if they are below level in math. What a mistake!!! They are proving us wrong. For 25 years that's how I always thought it should be. With new teachers on staff we were able to change our model and students are now out over 80% of their day. Lack of calculators and the funds to purchase them have created frustration for them. Don't Count Them Out!!!!!!!! They are being successful and with your support we will see much more success and self pride.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. H. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.