Can the word "special" have a negative connotation?
4 Special is probably the best example of the "euphemistic cycle"; a term coined as a euphemism for another term with more negative connotation eventually comes to have the same negative connotation. "Special education" is the usual U.S. term for the department of a public school that works with children with severe learning or mental disabilities.

Is "when" a preposition? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
I had to come up with an "edit-the-mistakes" worksheet for a Special Education student on-the-fly. One of my offerings was this sentence: When I was three years old I can tie my shoes. I had int...

Etymology of "div" meaning "a stupid or foolish person"
A child with "individual needs" has needs which are different from the majority of children, usually involving particular aspects of school life — generally learning, although it could apply to other aspects like personal care — for which special assistance is required.

capitalization - "Masters degree" — capital M or not? - English ...
When someone states "I have a Masters in Computer Science" should the word masters have a capital M? I've seen arguments for both and can't determine which is correct.

What is a person called who writes for a blind person in an examination ...
(From "Response Assessment Accommodations" at Special Connections, the University of Kansas's site "for general and special education teachers, related service personnel, para educators, parents and other professionals engaged in the meaningful inclusion of students with special needs in the general education curriculum") It is also used in the UK:

Need alternative word or phrase for "clinical"
Related to More formal word for "know-it-all" I need an alternative for the word clinical in the following context. This is a quote from my special education impartial hearing transcript...

What is the most common word for a student with special duties who ...
What is the most common word for a student with special duties who helps the teacher? As I googled it, I found a number of suggestions including monitor, prefect and factotum.

In legal citations, why are "see", "see also", etc., in italics?
I see. Well, going pro se to my son's special education impartial hearing, which lasted ten days, writing the closing argument, and writing a 40-page petition of appeal, have already made me well aware of my lack of legal training. Please don't rub it in!

Origin of "retarded" (slang) - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
retarded[ri-tahr-did] adjective characterized by a slowness or limitation in intellectual understanding and awareness, emotional development, academic progress, etc. Slang. stupid or

What is the term for schools where students stay in one class all day ...
This is also used by some special education classrooms in higher grades. Some schools use a cohort model, where students are with the same group of kids all day (with one or more teachers). I've heard that term used by US teachers in grades 6-9 (ages ~11-15).