Which sentence demonstrates People First Language regarding education services?

Which sentence demonstrates People First Language regarding education services?

• A. Steve attends special classes.
• B. Steve receives special education services.
• C. Steve has a disability.
• D. Steve is a sped student.

Answer: (B)

People First Language emphasizes describing the person before any disability, and in education that means talking about the student as someone who receives services rather than labeling them by the disability or by a service. “Steve receives special education services” does exactly that. It identifies Steve as a person and frames the situation around the services he receives, without defining him by the disability or using a stigmatizing label. The other options don’t fit this approach. Saying Steve attends special classes shifts focus to the setting rather than the person. Saying Steve has a disability defines him by the condition. Calling him a sped student uses a pejorative label that reduces him to a service category rather than acknowledging him as an individual. A best practice phrasing would be: Steve is a student who receives special education services.

People First Language emphasizes describing the person before any disability, and in education that means talking about the student as someone who receives services rather than labeling them by the disability or by a service.

“Steve receives special education services” does exactly that. It identifies Steve as a person and frames the situation around the services he receives, without defining him by the disability or using a stigmatizing label.

The other options don’t fit this approach. Saying Steve attends special classes shifts focus to the setting rather than the person. Saying Steve has a disability defines him by the condition. Calling him a sped student uses a pejorative label that reduces him to a service category rather than acknowledging him as an individual.

A best practice phrasing would be: Steve is a student who receives special education services.