Exceptional Service: Serving Coffee
December 11, 2022
What’s the story?
Carthage Special Education students learn the coffee business
by KSNF-TV KODE-TV Joplin, Missouri. Nexstar Media Group.
Were special education students included in the story?
NO. The special education teacher is quoted about the skills the students learn.
What’s in the news?
KSNF-TV and KODE-TV in Joplin, Missouri, has a special education coffee shop story.
Special education students at the 6th Grade Center in Carthage, MO, serve $2 coffee and hot chocolate every Friday, and it started October 2022.
Does it say “inclusion”?
“Just Coffee” excludes hot chocolate, which is also served, but Starbucks Coffee Company serves hot chocolate, too.
Is it for the student? Or is it for the teacher?
Money goes to the “Kids in Aprons” funds to support the coffee service and other cooking projects.
Is This the Least-Restrictive Environment?
Definitely not. They are not with their general education peers who don’t serve coffee to their teachers.
The students interact with staff, not students, on a limited basis (once a week).
What needs to change?
It is not the student’s job to serve coffee and other coffee shop beverages to their teachers.
Is it for a high school diploma?
The story doesn’t say if SOAR students can earn a diploma for participating in this program.