Disabilities and illnesses are becoming an increasing problem for all employers. To understand the problems unique to schools, 76 elementary and middle school principals were surveyed and indepth interviews were conducted with over a dozen of them. Nearly 70 percent reported that, over the past 2 years, they had between 1 and 5 teachers absent for…

This joint publication of the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities and the National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education discusses the characteristics and roles of special education teachers. Topics include: why people become special educators; characteristics of special education teachers, including…

This issue presents two articles on the use of data to improve results for students with disabilities. The first paper examines how researchers supported by the Office of Special Education Programs are discovering innovative uses of scientifically derived information in instructional and administrative decision making as well as strategies for…