Developments and Trends in Special Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The paper traces the development of special education legislation beginning in the 1960's and describes trends in educational programing. The role of the civil rights movement in legislation is noted, as is the advocacy of professional and parent associations. Federal initiatives, especially P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, are discussed. The evaluation of special education programing is traced from its dependence on regular education instructional materials and infrequent reassessment of placement decisions to increased classroom participation of interdisciplinary staff and placement in the public schools of formerly institutionalized students. Future projections are considered: in answer to a survey completed by 43 state or territory special education directors in 1984, the respondents rated in-process or anticipated developments emphasizing those in career and/or independent living skills, early intervention, inservice education for regular teachers and principals, and computer-assisted instruction and/or management. The paper concludes with a focus on trends in early intervention and career education. (CL)