EDUC 521 Discussion Board 1
The secular approach and biblical approach to special education is different. Having a
clear understanding of what special education is can assist in understanding how these two
approaches differ. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines special
education as “specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a
student with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, home, hospital and/or
institution; as well as in other settings like instruction in physical education” [Gib16]. Christians
believe in God, who created the heavens and earth, while secularist believe that the world is
governed by laws of nature and there is nothing else except what we see and discover through
science. Prior to the enactment of laws to protect and serve children with disabilities, many
children were sent to live in state institutions designed for persons with mental illness
[Cla18].These children were not afforded the opportunities to receive the education they needed
to live fulfilled lives. Students who do not fit what is considered the norm are God’s gifts to us
and are no less than any other students [Bru091]. Teachers are considered agents of
reconciliation and their classrooms should reflect it. This reconciliation must be done with all
students across all barriers. The starting point for dealing with classroom diversities is to be
aware of them and to be sensitive to them [Bru091]. Teachers are tasked with bringing students
together through curriculum with love. They should not allow for the alienation of any child to
take place within the classroom. Every child should be included. Inclusion does not mean
stripping the students of their beliefs. The secular approach does just that. The secular approach
prepares people to tolerate all lifestyles, place no values on education, and their rules are
determined by the state and federal guidelines [Eke18]. The biblical approach focuses on the
Kingdom of God and spreading the Gospel, is submitted to the teachings of God, and the rules
References
Ackerman, B. (2012). G.U.I.D.E. Differentiated instruction for Christian educators. Lynchburg,
Virginia: Liberty University Press.
Brummelen, H. V. (2009). Walking with God in the classroom: Christian approaches to learning
and teaching (3rd ed.). Colorado Springs, Colorado: Purposeful Design.
Claxton, B. (2018). Planning, writing, and implementing IEP's: A Christian approach. Dubuque,
Iowa: Kendall Hunt.
Ekeland, J., & Walton, B. (2018, October 25). Ten Differences-Public School and Christian
School. (The Christian Academy) Retrieved from Discover Christian Schools: Where
Christian Education is Priceless!:
http://www.discoverchristianschools.com/resources/ten_differences_between_public_and
_christian_schools
Gibb, G. S., & Dyches, T. T. (2016). IEPs: Writing quality invdivdualized education programs
(3rd ed.). Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education.
are determined by God’s word and moral standards [Eke18]. There are 6.4 million public school
students receiving special education services (as cited in National Center for Education Statistics,
2015); and every teacher is not equipped to function in the capacity of compassion. These are
gifts that are given to some. Compassion is to have sympathy, mercy, or pity for someone other
than self. God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and
faithfulness (Psalm 86:15, English Standard Version). Therefore, so should we be.
