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.

[DoubleJ]

I think that these programs are very useful. I happen to know a few "slow" kids who are embarrased because they are not as quick of a learner as their peers. I think that everybody should be allowed to learn at their own pace, and in the environment that suits them best. Putting a child who is not as gifted in a sense as another child, may be like putting an eighth grader in harvard. Some people just need more attention than others do, and I think that these programs are beneficial to all who are involved.