Classical Education and Learning Differences: 5 Resources

From the second I set foot in the classroom a dozen years ago I began wrestling with the puzzle of learning differences. I found that charity and attentiveness went a long way. For example, I noticed the connection between outbursts from a child with ASD and the use of the overhead projector. This was an easily resolvable problem once I realized the cause. Attentiveness, however, has its limits; in other circumstances I failed miserably because learning disabilities often require specialized attention or input beyond the capacity of the classroom teacher.

This is no different when the child is your own; no matter how much you love them and know them, sometimes you need professional advice. During the past year, it became apparent that I had reached that point with one of my children. It has been a confusing journey; this child is more intelligent than me, an articulate, curious, eager learner who seems to perceive reality in an entire extra dimension. Nonetheless, there is a disconnect between the mind and the pen. The problem is this: where does a classical educator go for help?

I have been reticent to pursue available local resources because often the philosophical assumptions that underpin special education are concerning. For example, in a local Sunday school training session a Christian teacher with a graduate degree in Special Education commended not merely behaviorism, but also the work of B.F. Skinner. This teacher suggested behavior modification systems for Sunday school founded in the work of Skinner and other behaviorists. But B. F. Skinner and I are not in agreement on what a human is. Skinner explicitly states that his proposed technology of behavior requires that autonomous man must be “dispossessed.” (You can read more about this topic here). A pedagogy presupposes an anthropology, and the form and content of classical education are grounded in not in opposition to freedom and dignity.

Providentially, an unexpected conversation this summer opened the door to the resources available for classical educators. The following is a list of resources that I have discovered; I hope it will help homeschool parents, classroom teachers, and school administrators who are looking for answers.

1. Scholé Academy Center for Students with Learning Differences

For years I have considered the curriculum, books, classes, and training under the umbrella of Classical Academic Press trusted resources. Until this summer, I was not aware of their Center for Students with Learning Differences. The center provides special needs consultations and personalized tutoring. It is just what I thought did not exist: personalized assistance grounded in a mature classical pedagogy not beholden to the IEP.

2. Learning Differences Live Learning Event

On July 25^th, Scholé Academy and Classical U hosted a free live learning event on learning differences. A free recording of the event is available here. A panel of experts discussed topics including common myths, dignity and difference, practical tips (for homeschool and classroom), and incorporating movement in learning. I wish that I had had this resource when I began as a classical educator. The suggestions provided are infinitely practical and accessible to those of us with only a novice understanding of learning disorders.

3. Classical U

Classical U offers a course Disability and Classical Education: Student Formation in Keeping with our Common Humanity. This course is taught by Dr. Amy Richards, Affiliate Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Eastern University. Dr. Richards was a panelist at the Live Learning Event where she shared how she, as a philosopher, became interested in learning disabilities. I have not yet had a chance to take the course, but I appreciated Dr. Richards’s insights on the panel and am excited about her contributions to the world of classical education.

4. Disability and Classical Education

Dr. Richards has a book available for pre-order through Classical Academic Press, that will skip to the top of my ever-daunting TBR pile when it arrives. A portion of the description reads:

Offering a philosophical basis along with practical guidance, author Dr. Amy Richards unfolds the need to build new understandings of the nature of disability, the goal of education, and the ways in which classical educators can offer genuine welcome to students with disabilities and learning differences.

5. Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child

To my knowledge, this is currently the only available book on classical education and learning disabilities. Cheryl Swope, a home educator with a master’s in special education, begins the book with a dual narrative: an account of adopting children with profound disabilities and her realizations in her early career of how misguided her training had been. It is worth the price of the book to read the inspiring story of her twins with a laundry list of diagnoses thriving beyond expectations due to their classical education. One of the twins, a child with autism, schizophrenia, and an IQ of 75, tested well above grade level by middle school. Though her children’s handicaps are profound, the practical guide following her story includes helpful general advice for evaluations, strategies, accommodations, and curriculum resources.

Here are further resources suggested by Cheryl Swope:

Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child

Simply Classical Curriculum for Special Needs from Memoria Press

Simply Classical Journal (a free resource from Memoria Press)

Simply Classical Schools