This study examined secondary principals' perceptions of the phrase "the best interests of the student" as a viable professional ethic for the field of educational leadership. Findings indicate that participants make clear distinctions between the best interest of the student (one) and the best interests of students (as a group). These findings…

A statewide survey of special education directors revealed that director of special education preparation programs should be time limited and offered in convenient locations to recruit the best possible pool of students and future directors. Current directors have come to their positions through numerous and diverse career paths. The lack of…

Leadership in schools matters today more than ever, since school leaders are faced with leading schools through an era of profound social change that has required fundamental rethinking of what schools do and how they do it. The challenges facing educational leadership have grown tremendously in recent years because of increased public…

The author recently left her position as special services director in an urban school district in Vermont, a state that embraces inclusion for students with disabilities, to accept the position of superintendent of schools in the same district. The new job requires overseeing the educational mission of six elementary schools, two middle schools, a…

In response to public demands for better-quality high school graduates and to requirements of No Child Left Behind legislation, states have developed a variety of policies such as high-stakes exit exams and diploma options. Additionally, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, students with disabilities must be…

Youth with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds are at high risk for a number of negative postschool outcomes including high unemployment, low wages, and limited access to postsecondary education and training. Cultural and linguistic differences may negatively impact transition planning for these youth as they…

This study investigated the attitudes of school counseling students toward working with students with disabilities. Q methodology was used to develop 43 opinion statements that reflected the attitudes toward providing school counseling services to students with disabilities. Fifty-one school counseling students then sorted these statements. Data…

Students with disabilities have more barriers to independent living than other student populations. The current study examines the likelihood of independence for young people with disabilities by extending a model developed by the Heal and Rusch (1995) that used the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) from 1992. The current study employs…

Students with learning disabilities are entering college at increasingly higher rates, but persistence and degree attainment is lower than that of their nondisabled peers. Poor transition planning has been identified as a likely contributor to this problem. In an effort to address the needs of these students, several studies have been conducted to…

In this article, the authors review the way in which the Victorian government has responded to the inclusion of students with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream schools, and consider what further efforts could be made to improve inclusive educational practices. Key measures introduced by the state education authority in relation to the…

The role of the family in providing a quality education program is important for all students. For students with special educational needs, however, the role of the family is particularly critical. In such families, there can be an increased amount of stress and, at the same time, a range of coping strategies evolving. Research into the ways that…

In 2002, people with disabilities in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) expressed their vision "that all people with disabilities are valued as full and equal members of the ACT community" (Australian Capital Territory Government, 2004). Despite the ACT being regarded as a very fortunate and prosperous place to live, some Canberrans with…

This study examined teacher perceptions of educational supports for students with disabilities and significant behavioural problems. Specifically, the study sought to (a) identify the types of behavioural problems displayed by students identified as exhibiting significantly challenging behaviour; (b) ascertain the types of supports and resources…

This article reports on inclusive education in Bangladesh for children with special needs. Bangladesh is not behind other developed countries in enacting laws and declarations in favour of inclusive education, but a lack of resources is the main barrier in implementing inclusive education. Special education and integrated education models exist in…

In Queensland, inclusive education reform is on the political agenda, following the report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Inclusive Education (students with disabilities) in 2004. The Government's responses to the initiatives outlined in the taskforce report emphasise a commitment to social justice and equity so that all students can be included…