Full Description
An informative look at the factors that influence special education policies and practices!
Education in the United States is driven by excellence and equity for all students. There is a tenuous balance, however, between society's desire to provide special education services and its ability to pay for them. Authors Jim Ysseldyke and Bob Algozzine examine the current educational landscape, focusing on the delivery of cost-effective, quality services to exceptional students. Public Policy, School Reform, and Special Education demonstrates how and why special education services are driven more by social, political, and economic factors than by actual changes in education, and the ways in which society's values and beliefs affect the distribution of limited resources.
Special features include:
Key vocabulary terms
Case studies illustrating how social, political and economic factors work together to affect special education practices
A pretest and posttest to help readers assess their understanding of school reform and restructuring
Helpful books, articles, and organizations for further research and support
Contents
About A Practical Approach to Special Education for Every Teacher
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
Self-Assessment I
Introduction to Public Policy, School Reform, and Special Education
1.What Factors Drive Special Education?
Social Values
Political Factors
Economic Factors
2.What Should Every Teacher Know About School Reform?
National Education Goals
REI and Inclusion
Goals 2000
National Standards
Opportunity-to-Learn Standards
School Restructuring
Impact of Reform on Special Education
3.Public Policy and School Reform in Perspective
Impact of Laws on Special Education
Current Reforms
Importance of Teacher Training
The Future of Special Education
Closing Comments and Parting Thoughts
4. What Have We Learned?
Key Points
Key Vocabulary
Self-Assessment II
Answer Key for Self-Assessments
On Your Own
Resources
Books
Journals & Articles
Organizationa
References
Index
