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Even though the general education programs of public schools strive to provide the best possible education to children, some students’ needs are not met. Schools provide educational support services to assist these students in receiving a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

Students qualifying for educational support services may have a variety of needs. Educational support services are provided for the developmentally and physically disabled, the gifted and talented, those for whom English is not their priMary language, children from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, and others. Educational support services are often run separately from the general education program; these offerings are intended to supplement, not supplant, that curriculum. Funding for educational support services often comes from income streams different from that for the general education program. The consistency of that funding greatly influences the success or failure of educational support services offered.

Background

All 50 states and the District of Columbia provide public education for children from kindergarten through grade 12. Additionally, Many states also fund preschool programs that permit some children as young as 3 years of age to attend classes. Historically, schools provided instruction that was directed at same-age grades. Children who struggled with material at their grade level were expected to master this curriculum without special assistance, resulting in Many children leaving school. Those students who were advanced also were afforded no special treatment, although sometimes they were allowed to skip a grade to put them with children working at the same cognitive level. Children with mental or physical disabilities were often excluded from school altogether and were either kept at home or sent to asylums.

This scenario began to change in 1975, when Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (later the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA). This act required all schools accepting federal funds to provide children with cognitive or physical disabilities equal access to education. To this end, school districts were required to assess children who might have a disability. If a child was found to have a cognitive or physical disability, the school was required to form an individualized education plan for that child and to monitor the child's progress over time. This change in law created Many new opportunities for children with disabilities. About this time, Many states also began gifted education programs, intended to provide cognitively advanced children with additional opportunities in their academic work. During the last 50 years, interest also grew in assisting preschool through college students from low-SES backgrounds, and a variety of programs were developed to do so.

Types of Services

Educational support services are provided to students in a variety of ways. Some services are available to students as separate programs, offered before or after school. Other services are offered distinct from the general education program, either in the years before most children enroll in school, over the summer, or at some other time. Additional services, such as pull-out instruction or resource specialists, supplement the general education program. Which educational support services are available depends upon adequate funding, and decisions must often be made among viable alternatives. To ensure equity, Many school districts provide open forums to elicit comments and input from teachers, parents, students, and other concerned individuals regarding which options to offer.

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