Maryland does not see a link between Poverty and Special Education

Wicomico County found no relation between students with reduced and free lunch and those in special education.

by Vanessa Junkin -

Not all students have the same resources at home.

But no matter a child?s income level, early intervention is key to increasing a child?s potential for success, said Bonnie Walston, director of special education for Wicomico County public schools.

In Wicomico County ? which had 11.22 percent of its students receiving special education services in the 2011-2012 school year ? special education percentages have remained steadily near 12 percent, with that little bit lower percentage last year, Walston said. However, the percentage of students receiving Free and Reduced Meals has risen.

The percentage of students receiving special education in Maryland?s counties, as well as the statewide rate ? 11.22 percent ? were compiled in a Daily Times analysis of Maryland State Department of Education data and rounded to the nearest hundredth. MSDE spokesman Bill Reinhard said this data was from the 2011-2012 school year, and special education includes students who have an Individualized Education Program.

Wicomico?s Free and Reduced Meals rate was the state?s fourth-highest among the 24 districts for the 2011-2012 school year, at 58.61 percent, according to MSDE data. Its special education percentage came in 10th-highest.

Even though she doesn?t see a correlation in Wicomico, Walston said poverty is something that could have an impact on students. For example, if a child?s parents are working two to three jobs and aren?t around their child as much, that may have an effect.

?That?s why we have a process to help families and children to be able to bridge those gaps,? Walston said.

And it?s important that family members talk to their children and have books, math and developmentally appropriate activities, she said.

Early intervention services provided by Wicomico County for children birth through age 3 involve a team of at least one family member, a case manager and a specialist or specialists ? depending on the child?s disability ? going into the child?s home or another safe place, like a child care center.

Read more at?With special education, one size doesn?t fit all.

[Via Daily Times]

Source: http://specialedpost.com/2013/01/28/maryland-does-not-see-a-link-between-poverty-and-special-education/

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