Special Education/Programs for the "Mentally Challenged", Useful or useless? Options

[MissHygienic]

There has been an ongoing debate about whether or not to levy taxes to properly fund public schools. I already know of a few under-funded school districts who forced teachers to work double shifts, and many schools were not able to provide paper, pens, or pencils because no one paid enough taxes.

With that said, what is your opinion on special education that is funded by the state? Public schools are already having a hard enough time. Should people waste more time and money on people with irreconcilable disabilities, or do you believe that all people should have education, whether or not they make use of it?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

[superstitious]

Understood, but I do not think that cutting taxes to eliminate them from public education based solely on the fact that they may never be able to fend for themselves is wise. It perpetuates the idea that if you aren't a certain way or if you're not of a certain stature, you're not necessary in the long scheme of things.

I know that's taking a dramatic approach to what you're debating here, but I truly believe it sends the wrong message. There are other things that can be cut. How about reducing salaries such as these? How about focusing less on administrators and more on educators?

[Cowboy]

Understood, but I do not think that cutting taxes to eliminate them from public education based solely on the fact that they may never be able to fend for themselves is wise. It perpetuates the idea that if you aren't a certain way or if you're not of a certain stature, you're not necessary in the long scheme of things.

I know that's taking a dramatic approach to what you're debating here, but I truly believe it sends the wrong message. There are other things that can be cut. How about reducing salaries such as these? How about focusing less on administrators and more on educators?

Perhaps you'll take offense to this, and I do so apologize if you do, but how are mentally handicapped people essential by any means? It seems as if they're only a burden to those around them? If we're talking about anything logical, how are they "necessary?" Oh, yeah, they're totally a part of God's great plan, and his big, green Earth, but what the hell do they do, other than consume and drool? Unless you believe in some sort of philosophy in which the weak are necessary as to complement the strong, and to show who is truly compassionate, but this is an abstract point, at best. Answer this: how are they "necessary?"

yeah but that doesn't seem to be the case. if parents had the time and could train them just as effectively i don't see why they are sending them to school in the first place. i don't think they can, not all of them anyway.

As the children are definitively of no benefit, and have no discernible hope, let the parents negotiate some means of caring for them. Day care?

Reason for edit: merged - Jc