Students in this science class are making fuel to put into a small rocket. They will then take the rocket outside and fire it off. This type of hands-on learning has proven very effective for students with learning disabilities. An appropriate goal for a student with learning disabilities might be, "He will have modified lessons that emphasize active learning such as building rockets, science projects, taking digital photos or videos. These lessons will address the same learning objectives as the regular classroom assignments."

It is very possible that the students pictured here learned more about chemical reaction, acceleration, gravity and trajectory than students who took a test. Be actively involved in your (or your student's) education. One type of change in the classroom is to allow students more time to take a test, or to allow them to give the answers orally rather than in writing. Another possibility is to have the students engage in projects like this one. Be sure that the assignments include understanding of the scientific or other concepts that are supposed to be taught, that they are not just firing off a rocket.

We know this type of education is possible. The picture at left was taken in a class on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Special education should be removing limits for students, not adding them.

All students with learning disabilities could benefit from an Individual Education Plan. This does not mean that a student with LD cannot succeed in the regular classroom without any modification. It will, however, be much more difficult for that student and frustrating for family, teachers and friends.