Discuss the difference between a secular approach and a biblical approach to
special education. Utilize Ackerman’s G.U.I.D.E., focusing on the Great Commission
and Understanding Differentiation Instruction to inform your thoughts on this topic.
Feel free to also use Scripture verses that are related to this topic. Be sensitive to
the fact that both public and Christian school teachers will be participating in this
discussion.
In your reply, discuss how your classmate's response differs between a biblical and
secular approach to special education.
A secular approach towards special education is viewing students within that program as
not good enough or not meeting the standards. The secular approach sees special education as
another thing in the world they get taxed for or that is unnecessary. However, the biblical
approach to special education sees it as an equal opportune and that they are no different than
anyone else in the world. The biblical approach is more accepting and knows that God created all
individuals for a purpose and that they are “wonderful and fearfully made,” Psalm 139:14. It
focuses on forming the students into caring people, who can use their learning to become
Christian adults within their career paths they may choose. I also believe that the secular
approach just sees special education as getting them out of school and the fastest way to get them
through. This approach only focuses on their school achievements and not who they are as a
person. The biblical approach focuses on who the student is as a person and how to help to form
them into God has meant for them to be. The Great Commission states that “Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age,” Matthew 28:19-20. As a Christian educator it is our job
to raise students up in a Christian format that help to prepare them to be functioning adults in
society one day. We are to instill in them the qualities of Christ that they are to possess. We are
their role models. This is for both the public and Christian school environments. Both approaches
need differentiation within the classroom settings. Ackerman states in G.U.I.D.E. how every
student has their own learning styles and as a teacher it is our role to be able to understand all
learning styles and be able to provide the appropriate instruction to meet the specific needs of all
of the learners. “The first step of having a differentiated classroom is to determine what matters
most in each subject and what content the students need to truly know and why.” (Ackerman,
p.9) A differentiated classroom is key in both approaches and also having and understanding and
truly getting to know your students helps to form the basis of both.
Reference
Ackerman, B. (2012). G.U.I.D.E. to differentiated instruction for Christian educators.
Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Press. ISBN: 9781935986263.
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