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I have a vision of a classroom in America unlike anything we have yet to imagine. I see tables, not desk, laptops not paper, lots of space for movement. Most importantly I see students helping students and learning in the process.

I see Billy in his wheel chair sitting next to Fred; who helps him set up his laptop with all its special modifications that he needs for the class. Fred plans to work in clinical therapies when he leaves high school; this is transitional practice that will prepare him.

I see Candy use her laptop to C.A.R.T.; Communication Access Realtime Translation, notes for Angela so she can keep up with every word. Angela is deaf. Candy will later print copies of her notes for the teacher and for extra credit as keyboard exercises in computer class.

I See Jim proudly pass out specially prepared worksheets to Andy and Mira; they have cognitive disability. The worksheets use drawings to help them understand the day's lessons. Jim prepared the worksheets in art class along with other students, as an assignment in cartoon art.

I see Gail guided to her seat by way of a special rail, so she can do her reading assignments at the Braille board that Mary has already set up. Mary will sit with her to be sure she follows along. Mary has learned Braille too, but she's not blind.

Notably I see students accept every student with a compassion that has been displaced for too long. School design has alienated our disabled kids by placing them in separate settings full of bells and whistles designed to appease the IDEA ruling. Most of these students could adjust well in a regular classroom. They would benefit more from the integrated setting than they do in the limited four walls they call special education.

The greatest harm is that it continues to teach people that these kids are not worthy of being seen. That they need to be kept in the back somewhere so they don't bother anyone. If we truly want to teach kids compassion, humble them with reality, include them in the job of education. Show them we trust and value their inclusion in caring for the weak. A generation of entitlement has flourished through our nation at an alarming rate. Kids are at war with one another. They are at war with themselves their families and no one is learning a thing.

I see a new school where the key to education is respect, consideration and value of each and every student, educator and self.

Learn more about this author, Sandra Gillhouse.
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