The brief critical examination focuses on existing special education practices in schools in which diagnosis is said to have become a suspicion confirming exercise. Labeling-categorization of children with either mild or severe degrees of exceptionality is singled out as a harmful practice. Ethical and legal issues then considered are the variance…

The last 25 years of special education has seen the pendulum swing from over confidence in special class placement to current efforts to mainstream handicapped children. Characteristic of children entering school is variation in ability and learning style. Some of the children will be referred to special education not because of extreme learning…

Presented is a position paper concerning commitments and responsibilities to exceptional children which was prepared by the Policies Commission at the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and a policy statement on governmental affairs developed by the CEC Legislative Committee. A brief policy statement follows discussion of each of the…