The impact of standards-based reform on students with disabilities has been a topic of considerable concern in recent special education literature although scant information has been reported from the school system level on this issue. Recognizing that a key element in ensuring that students with disabilities are successfully involved in a…

This study examined the experiences of administrators of Massachusetts out-of-district special education schools two years after they began aligning their curriculum with state standards. The majority of administrators described faculty as "Somewhat Familiar" with state frameworks, and their curriculum as "Partially Aligned." School-based study…

Recent legislation from IDEA 1997 to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--Revised of 2002 (No Child Left Behind) and the pending reauthorization of the IDEA--present challenges for administrators of special education programs and building-level administrators that oversee educational programs for all students on a daily basis. This article…

There has been a continuing drama over the unanswered question of whether students with disabilities deserve a high school diploma. Currently, a student is awarded a high school diploma if he or she meets local standards and if he or she passes the state's competency test of if his or her passage of the Indiana Standardized Test of Educational…

This article reviews availability, certification, and preparation of special education administrators, with an emphasis on their roles in maintaining a quality workforce in special education. Findings indicate a special education administrator shortage, a shift to on-the-job training, and the importance of administrative support in recruitment and…

A survey of 34 British headteachers, 25 deputy headteachers, and 49 other educators found the most popular form of professional development was short-course provision, the most requested topic for professional development was performance management, and the majority believed professional development should be special education needs-specific.…

A qualitative study of five Texas female special education directors found that although participants achieved an administrative position, they were marginalized due to their leadership style, gender discrimination, and socialization. Participants also indicated a negative connection between being in special education administration and top-level…

A survey of 1,042 special educators found that disability severity and number of students served in the classroom were the variables that most affected caseloads in special education. Educators spent most of their time instructing, but also spent time doing behavior management, case management, and individualized education program development.…

This commentary discusses the decrease in educational funding, the increase of mandates under the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the possible conflicts between general and special education. Administrators and educators are urged to work together to meet the needs of all students. (CR)

This article discusses the role of special education administrators in leading the way for changes in special education during the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The need for administrator advocacy for streamlined paperwork, the response to intervention model, and the provision of highly qualified staff is…

This article discusses how an urban middle school designed to reflect a Schools for Thought model has demonstrated that urban schools can achieve excellent results on statewide testing for all students, including those with disabilities. Key school features are highlighted, including the use of "cross-talk" to stimulate discussion and student…

This article presents the challenges that urban special education administrators face in serving students with frequent behavior problems. New strategies for creating supportive environments are shared, including creating a positive school climate, increasing capacity to initiate and maintain research-validated practices, and implementing programs…

A study involving 12 elementary schools investigated hiring and placement decisions of school district-level personnel and principals. Findings indicate inequities in the quality of leadership and instruction in the inner-city schools exacerbate efforts to reduce disproportionate placements of culturally and linguistically diverse children into…

This article discusses how the concept of efficiency in special education services is translated into specific practices. A paradigm is presented that quantifies a measure of student need, ties school allocations to student needs, tracks actual expenditures on special education, and links those expenditures to quantifiable measures of student…

This article discusses urban teacher shortages, the interaction between poverty, ethnicity, and academic performance, and how licensure contributes to poor results in urban schools. Two partnerships between local universities and school districts to address these shortages are described. The need to prepare general and special education teachers…