The 36th Guam Legislature on Thursday recognized the hard work of the men and women who help the island's special needs children. Resolution 216-36 was presented to the Guam Department of Education, by Senator Joanne Brown, on behalf of the Committee Chair on Education, Senator Telena Nelson.

The purpose was to recognize December 2, as National Special Education Day and to commend the personnel and staff of GDOE's Special Education Division for their dedicated efforts to provide the necessary services and programs to special needs students and their families.

National Special Education Day is on December 2 and is recognized across the nation annually to celebrate the Individuals with Disabilities Act Idea, which is America's first federal education law signed by late president Gerald Ford in 1975.

Sen. Brown elaborated more on the legislative resolution, saying, "National Special Education Day celebrates the advancements that are made in educating children with disabilities and ensuring that special education and related services are rendered to those special needs children and accommodating them in ways that allow special needs children to thrive in the classroom as well as beyond the normal classroom setting."

"The observance of National Special Education Day on December 2, acknowledges special needs children and their families that overcome the stigma and discrimination in their everyday lives and it continues to advocate for equal opportunities to a high-quality education."

Brown added that GDOE's special education division is committed to the development of the mind, body, and spirit of every student enrolled with the system and continues to advocate for the 1,754 students with disabilities they currently serve through appropriate funding and training.

GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez expressed his appreciation for some 332 school aides active in the SPED program, during a press conference Wednesday. He said, "We really appreciate the efforts of our Special Education Division, and you know, as we get back to get our kids back to school we look forward to working with our special education students and their families to get them to get back on track with you know the services and the attention that their kids deserve and so we're really thankful to the legislature for recognizing our staff."