Unlike data that show that all states require credentials for special education teachers, national data indicate that only 27 states require licensure/certification/endorsement as an administrator of special education. The titles used by states to identify the local director of special education include administrator of special education, director…

Results suggested two relatively divergent views expressed by practitioners. The first was the stated belief that school psychology will become much more closely tied to the field of special education, while the alternative opinion was that the field will remain as diverse as the systems it serves. (Author)

Examined the effect of selected socio-demographic, mental health resource, and school system variables on the identification and treatment of children as emotionally disturbed. The major finding was that emotionally disturbed children are significantly underdetected and underserved nationally in public school systems, and, specifically, in…

The Association for Children with Learning Disabilities encourages a Regular Education/Special Education Initiative as a system of integrated planning, delivery, and evaluation of the effects of services to disabled children. Specific recommendations regarding the development of pilot projects and competency training for school personnel, related…

P.L. 94-142 is the most significant federal legislation ever passed in regard to exceptional children. It mandates a free and appropriate education, including related services such as counseling (as needed), for every exceptional child up to age 21. The counselor's role may include direct work with children referred for behavioral social adaptive…

Chapter 3 in a book on school law discusses a few of the many issues in the area of education for the handicapped which are being litigated in courts and agencies throughout the United States. Specifically, the chapter covers litigation regarding the application of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, referred to as Public Law 94-142,…

This paper summarizes results of federal legislation and court litigation addressing special education issues. The first section considers cases in which rights were secured through litigation. These include rights of minority groups, rights of the mentally ill, rights of the mentally retarded, and the right to a fair classification. The second…

School principals perform a crucial role in discharging a school system's legal obligations toward the handicapped. Since principals are unable to supply money damages, they are rarely primary targets of lawsuits involving handicapped children, but their role in representing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to parents is critical. Thus,…