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?

[MissHygienic]

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?

Yeah, I should have clarified about the taxes/money issues. And thank you for your economic perspective on this. I had read a few news articles online, and I thought it would be interesting to propose this idea to members on CreateBlog who are also students/tax-payers/future tax-payers. I will respond to this later.