Special Education Majors Double Up

By Deanna Gostinski
If you took the time to look at Lock Haven Universitys 2014 key statistical data, you would see
a statistic under the special education majors section. From 2010-2013 special ed graduates
dropped from 14 to seven to three, being cut in half each year.
Dr. Jane Penman, Department Chair of Special Education here, at LHU, gave an explanation
behind the projected numbers.
The so called statistics, are false. Penman explained that she was not aware and does not know
why the statistics are incorrect regarding the major. As of May 2007, Pennsylvanias Special Ed
program has been revamped and big changes have been instituted.
John Abplanalp, Lock Haven Universitys Institutional Data Manager, explained why the stats
were incorrect.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education no longer allows graduates to get certification with
a stand-alone major of Special Education. I believe the last class of those students would have
graduated was during 2012-13 academic year which is why there was the drop off in numbers
we offer Special Education as a dual major or as part of the specific concentration but those are
listed separately because they span multiple areas (PreK-4/Special Educ, Secondary Education
with a concentration in Biology- Spec Ed, etc.). If you look at the last pages of the enrollment
and graduation reports on the IR website, you will see the breakdowns by concentration that will
show you the level of detail noted by Dr. Penman, said Abplanalp.
Special education is no longer offered as its own major. In order to become certified in special
ed, students are required to take a dual major. For instance, a student may choose to enroll as
secondary Ed biology major. With this dual track, more opportunities for employment and
versatility come into play. Students with disabilities are no longer separated from the regular
classroom setting, but instead are incorporated in the same way any student would be.
So, would immersing lower-functioning individuals in a regular classroom setting hinder their
learning experience?
Can they still learn? Absolutely, you dont know which student has an IED (educational
development plan), she said. Penman elaborated by stating that because her children were raised
around people with disabilities that they now feel comfortable interacting with them.

In contrast to the stats previously mentioned, special ed as a major has either stayed consistent,
or increased in enrollment depending on the track. Disability and Community Services has
spiked from 29 to 36 to 48 from 2012-2014. Special Ed/Pre-K-4 has stayed steady ranging from
97 to 123 to 131 to 122 enrollees from 2011-2014.
Erica Logan, LHU alum of the special education department, is in agreement with Penman and
her opinion on the dual major requirements. Logan graduated in December of 2012 with her
bachelors degree in special ed and elementary Ed and is currently a full-time life skills teacher
at Blast IU17 high school, located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Being a dual major allowed me to stand out in comparison to other individuals I was
interviewing against. This made me more qualified than others for specific teaching positions I
applied for. I believe it should be a dual major, said Logan.
In opposition to Penman and Logan, Ashley Bowes, a senior in the special education and
secondary English major, expressed some other feelings regarding the changes.
I am not the biggest fan of the dual major requirement. It is frustrating knowing that I am giving
an extra year, and money, to the Secondary English program, knowing that most likely I will not
be a Secondary English teacher. My passion and heart are in Special Education. Don't get me
wrong I love and respect the English department but most likely that is a degree that I will not be
using, says Bowes.
Students and staff may differ in approval of the direction for special education, but the
Pennsylvania Board of Special Education says it is here to stay.