Overview
This lecture covers the history and development of special and inclusive education (SPED and IE) in the Philippines, their global evolution, significant figures, key events, and legal frameworks, with an emphasis on understanding their relationship and importance.
Definitions & Concepts
- Special education provides individualized instruction for students with disabilities or learning difficulties.
- Inclusive education integrates students with disabilities into general classrooms, promoting learning for all.
- Special education and inclusive education are distinct but most effective when combined, supporting both specialized and mainstream approaches.
- The principle of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) means students with disabilities should be in general settings as much as possible.
World History of SPED & IE
- Greek and Roman Era: Disabilities were seen as divine punishment; infants with disabilities were often killed or abandoned.
- Medieval Times: Those with disabilities were ridiculed, used as servants, or outcast from society.
- Renaissance: The era of asylums; disabled individuals began to receive care but remained isolated.
- Period of Educability: Education for all, including those with disabilities, began to be valued.
Key Contributors
- Pedro Ponce de Leon: First documented teaching of deaf children.
- Charles Michel de l’Épée: Founded the first school for the deaf in Paris.
- Louis Braille: Invented the Braille reading/writing system for the blind.
- Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard: Developed individualized teaching for children with disabilities.
- Edouard Seguin: Developed training for children with mental retardation.
- Maria Montessori: Emphasized exploration and real-life skills in multi-age classrooms.
- Ovide Decroly: Established a school and methods for children with mild disabilities.
Philippine History of SPED & IE
- SPED began in the early 1900s during American colonization.
- RA 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons) promoted rehabilitation and integration.
- Early influencers: Fred Atkinson, Delight Rice, David Burrows, and Maria Villa Francisco helped establish education for the deaf and blind.
- Welfareville Children’s Village (1927), NOHSCC (1945), Quezon City Science High School (1949), and pilot schools for the mentally handicapped (1952) were established.
- Bureau of Public Schools created a special education section in 1957.
- Various legislative acts, such as RA 3562 and RA 5250, advanced teacher training for SPED.
- 1975: Manila promoted inclusion of children with disabilities in regular schools.
- 1997: Inclusive education officially adopted by the Department of Education.
- 2010: Special Education Act required at least one SPED center per school division.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Special Education (SPED) — Individualized teaching for learners with disabilities.
- Inclusive Education (IE) — Integrating disabled and non-disabled students in the same classroom.
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) — Setting that allows most access to mainstream learning for students with disabilities.
- RA 7277 — Magna Carta for Disabled Persons: supports integration into society.
- SPED Center — School or facility providing specialized services to students with additional needs.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Make a timeline of SPED and IE history in the Philippines, highlighting significant events and contributors.
- Search and list SPED centers in your local area.
- Write a short essay advocating for the importance of SPED in the Philippines.
- Review your timeline against the provided rubric in your module.
- Read the suggested resources for deeper understanding.