This paper analyzes some major political and fiscal trends that will shape governments' approaches to equal educational opportunity for children with special needs during the 1980's. The growing conflict between the school finance reform movement--a group that desires to redesign public school curricula to include special needs programs whatever the cost--and the advocates of spending limitations is discussed. This opposition is examined in light of the state and federal educational legislation passed between 1960 and 1978. Tables displaying statistical comparisons of the level of children's services in Fresno and Santa Clara counties for 1976 and a November 1978 legislative review on educational spending issues are appended. (LH)