Puerto Rico became a commonwealth of the United States in 1952. Though Puerto Rico is part of the United States, the special education system in Puerto Rico is distinct from the one in the United States. Ms. Nayda Reyes, MSW, who teaches at an elementary school in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, told Proyecto Visión about the special education program at her school.

The children who attend Ms. Reyes' school range in grade level from kindergarten through six. Children with disabilities are placed in four program categories: early childhood intervention, children with physical disabilities, children with learning disabilities and developmentally disabled children. All children with disabilities are placed in mainstream general education classes beginning at kindergarten. During elective classes such as art or physical education, children with learning disabilities or development disabilities are offered additional classes in English, Spanish, math, social studies and science.

Parental involvement is emphasized in the Puerto Rican school system. Parents are informed of their rights as well as their children's rights from the day a child is found eligible for special education classes. If it is determined that a child will have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) mapped out for them, their teacher, social worker, speech therapist and parents are involved in creating one that is suitable for the child. In addition, parent and child are provided with transportation and other services to facilitate an adequate education. In theory, these services are supposed to be provided for families with disabled children in the United States. Often they are not.

In Puerto Rico, the common culture and language that school staff, parents and children share makes it easier for all parties involved to work as a team. Although their system is not perfect, it seems to allow for a better success rate than other multicultural school settings.

In order for any child to achieve success in school, parents must be involved in the decision-making process. No matter how dedicated the school staff may be to educating a child, educational values must be reinforced at home. Whether in Puerto Rico or in the continental United States, children only can realize their full potential when they are supported unanimously by their family, the school and the community.

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