Children between the ages of 3 and 19 who have disabilities or behavioral disorders often end up in inclusion classrooms with teachers who lack proper training or preparation to meet the diverse needs of their students. Data from the 2022 National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that 1 in 5 students in public classrooms have a learning disability, and many of them spend about 80% of their day in general education classes. This trend is only growing, with over 7.2 million students in public schools across the nation receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004.

Some may mistakenly suppose that the main problem in education is that all students don't learn in the same ways. Not only is that not the real problem, having the need for authentic learning styles is a reality of the human condition. Instead, the focus should be on how to prepare educators and families to use authentic and equitable methods in classrooms that have students with exceptional needs. 

The increasing population of students in need of special education services requires a disruptive shift in how educators are trained and prepared to meet the diverse needs of their inclusive classrooms. If school systems across America are going to win the fight for academic and physical health for all children and young adults, it is essential to augment the perception that only Special Education practitioners can instruct students with specialized needs. Seed2Fruit firmly believes in its mission to provide the necessary stepping stones for educators to confidently engage students who have specialized needs, no matter their preexisting conditions.