Rittel and Webber (1973) wrote, "The search for scientific bases for confronting problems of social policy is bound to fail, because the nature of these problems. They are 'wicked' problems, whereas science has developed to deal with 'tame problems'" (p. 155). Thus, a wicked problem is one where the solution is bound up in its…

The emergence of the standards-based reform movement has raised a number of issues related to the design of educational programs for students with severe disabilities, and a debate has arisen that presents an "either/or" choice between the general education curriculum and an ecological curricular framework that has traditionally guided…

Family-school partnerships are increasingly touted as a means of improving both student and school improvement. This recognition has led to an increase in policies and initiatives that offer the following benefits: improved communication between parents and educators; home and school goals that are mutually supportive and shared; better…

This article reassesses the contribution of the Plowden Report (1967) to educational thinking in the United Kingdom. It discusses how the report was scapegoated by politicians advocating a performance-led approach and suggests the report, which advocated a holistic, child-centered educational approach, has much to contribute to present educational…

This book presents 10 chapters covering issues in the reconstruction of special education in inclusive schools. The book's three parts focus on deconstructing and reconstructing the professions, optional metatheories of special education and disability, and optional theories of special education and disability. Five of the chapters are by Thomas…

If real growth is not made in teacher attitude and training and in institutional structural change to enhance the quality of interaction between "mainstreamed" students and "normal" students, mainstreaming will fail. (Author/LC)

The development, care, and education of children from birth to age 5 has been the focus of rapidly increasing public interest, and numerous early childhood public policy initiatives have focused attention on a major problem of coordination and collaboration of services for young children. Four segments of services for young children--(1) child…

In the era of globalization, Malaysia's ability to remain economically competitive depends on the skills of its workforce. The policies and practices of Malaysia's vocational education system must be revised to do more to give the country's disabled citizens the training they need to find employment and become taxpayers. More concerted efforts are…