special education

[ spesh-uhl ej-oo-key-shuhn ]

/ ˈspɛʃ əl ˌɛdʒ ʊˈkeɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for special education on Thesaurus.com

noun

specialized or modified instruction for students with unique learning needs, especially students with identified disabilities. Abbreviation: SPED

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Also called, Informal, spe·cial ed

[spesh-uhl ed] /ˈspɛʃ əl ˈɛd/ .

Origin of special education

First recorded in 1920–25

usage note for special education

See special.

Words nearby special education

special court-martial, special delivery, special delivery stamp, special dividend, special drawing rights, special education, special educational needs, special effect, special effects, Special Forces, special handling

How to use special education in a sentence

Since then, the retired preschool special education teacher estimates she has made about 450 runs to pick up everything from fresh milk to deli sandwiches that would otherwise have been thrown away.
Restaurants throw away a lot of food. These volunteers pick it up first and take it to people who are hungry.|Cathy Free|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Basic classroom setup tipsThe simple decision to use a headset can make a huge difference in the quality of sound, says education consultant Brittany Dorn, who has a doctorate in special education and a master’s in deaf education.
Online classes are difficult for the hard of hearing. Here’s how to fix that.|Eli Reiter|February 9, 2021|Popular-Science
Chicago attempted to reopen school buildings at the start of the year, giving prekindergarten students and some students in special education classes the option of face-to-face learning.
Lawsuits, lockouts and strike threats: Fights to reopen classrooms reach a head in several school districts|Moriah Balingit|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
At Johnson Middle, two teachers, one a special education instructor, were teaching a sixth-grade class Friday.
D.C. completes a week of in-person classes: Low attendance, frustrated teachers, confident principals and happy students|Perry Stein|February 7, 2021|Washington Post

A week later, more special education students, as well as general education pre-kindergartners and kindergartners, will return.
Virginia’s largest school systems vow to reopen classrooms for all by March|Hannah Natanson|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
We live in Montgomery County, Maryland, which provides thorough early intervention services and special education.
The Cost of Raising a Special Needs Son|Elizabeth Picciuto|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While working as a special education teacher, Goldstein began testing out the fashion waters.
Meet the Stylist Behind Some of Fashion’s Most Iconic Images|Toby Milstein|November 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Police are trying to figure out why the 6-foot-7, 400-pound former special education teacher snapped.
Erbie Bowser: A ‘Gentle Giant’ Who Snapped|Christine Pelisek|August 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I interviewed several special education attorneys who told me the same thing: Parents are being stonewalled.
The Real Juvenile Offenders|Daniela Drake|June 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yet despite their pleas, the school district refused to test him for special-education services.
The Real Juvenile Offenders|Daniela Drake|June 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We must find out to what extent he can profit by special education.
Mentally Defective Children|Alfred Binet
In the first place, no provision was made for the special education of the infant classes.
The Children: Some Educational Problems|Alexander Darroch
Special education is necessary to accustom the children to complete mastication.
Montessori Elementary Materials|Maria Montessori
The special education begins at twenty by the selection of the most promising youths.
History of Education|Levi Seeley
It requires no capital, no special education, no training, and may be taken up at any time without a moment's delay.
Thackeray|Anthony Trollope