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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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...

Is "education" a count noun? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
It isn't talking about education as a general principle (which is uncountable, as you say), it's about the specific type of education "she" received— which, according to the sentence provided, was a great one. It just gets shortened from type of education to education because it's generally understandable from context.

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 etymology of "call number," as in a library book?
M. Dewey et al. in Public Libraries U.S.A.: Special Rep.: Part I (Department of Interior, Bureau Education) xxviii. 626 The term call number derives from its use in library operations, particularly in closed-stack libraries.

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!