Why Exceptionality Is More Important for Special Education than Exceptional Children

Special education is specially designed instruction designed to meet the unusual, specific needs of individual exceptional students. In designing such instruction, group characteristics can be important, but special education demands a focus on individuals, not groups. The only grouping of students with shared characteristics that is important for special education is what the students have learned and need to learn next about what is being taught, whether that be academic or social skills. A focus on group characteristics other than learning is misguided and weakens special education.