Students at a BOCES school in Goshen got a lesson in the Democratic process when they exercised their right to change the school?s name.

The signs at Orange-Ulster BOCES used to say ?special education.? The school has 800 students, kindergarten through 12th grade, and programs for kids with all kinds of needs. Senior student government members wanted to get rid of the word ?special? to eliminate its stigma for younger students. They presented a petition with more than 200 signatures to the school board, which voted unanimously to take the word down.

Administrators and teachers say they were thrilled with the action of the students. The only thing that's special now is the effort of a few students who got the label removed.