The continuously evolving standards-based reform (SBR) movement is one of the most prominent features of today's educational policy landscape. As SBR has continued to drive educational policy, local schools and districts have adopted many approaches to comply with legal mandates. This paper critically examines one particular resultant phenomenon…

As more students with special educational needs attend mainstream schools, it is critical that the role and operation of special schools be examined. This article reports on two case studies, one special school in England and one in Ireland, which formed part of a national review of the role of special schools and special classes in Ireland. Two…

As important decisions are being made with regard to educational legislation, policy and provision for children with special educational needs (SEN), it is critical that the views of these key stakeholders are heard and considered. This article reports the perspectives of 38 children and young people with special educational needs on their…

Federal legislation for educating students with disabilities guides the selection of educational placements on the basis of the least restrictive environment, which must encourage the promotion of social interaction between students with disabilities and their nondisabled peers and must provide students an appropriate education. Some advocacy…

This collection of position statements issued by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) addresses three issues: (1) inclusive schools and community settings; (2) physical intervention; and (3) discipline. CEC's policy on inclusive schools is to support the concept of inclusion as a meaningful goal but also urge that a continuum of services be…

Ten years of data reflect little change in use of separate facilities for handicapped students, and high state-to-state variation. A subsequent paper argues that least restrictive environment as a concept has focused on "location" rather than "service." A final paper addresses the need to eliminate geographic and funding restrictions to…

Special education is under fire from full inclusionists who advocate for children with severe mental retardation and who contend that special education settings are immoral dumping grounds for children deemed "unteachable." Other advocates of inclusion focus on the invalidity of disability categories, tests, and instructional services which, in…

The development and current status of state-supported educational programs serving disabled students in California public colleges and universities are briefly reviewed, and current state policy and recommendations for future policy are addressed. While programs at all three public segments are considered, the California Community Colleges are…

The paper examines state policies relevant to current alternative educational environments in each state's continuum of services for handicapped children. The analysis resulted from a review of information about program models in state special education regulations and state annual program plans. State descriptions of available program models fit…

This study is concerned with legislation for the education of crippled children. Legislation for the education of crippled adults has rapidly increased in recent years. All of the States except Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Kentucky, Vermont, and Washington are now cooperating with the Federal Government under the terms of the national…

The present American philosophy of education proclaims equality of opportunity for every child. This requires a study of the inherent capacities of children and the consideration of the opportunities for service in a highly complex industrialized society. The Office of Education is now engaged in studying the success of the types of curriculum and…