This article describes how the Clark County School District in Las Vegas was reorganized to provide a greater emphasis on site-based management and a responsive centralized support system. Central to the reorganization was the development of a single division to support students with special needs. Barriers to collaboration are discussed. (CR)

A special education lawsuit against the Baltimore City Public School System resulted in a consent decree that evolved into a systemwide management plan. By 1997, the system collapsed and a city-state partnership integrated special and regular education. The focus on outcomes for court disengagement instead of student outcomes is discussed. (CR)

This study examined the perception and level of knowledge of special education law among beginning school administrators (n=120). Most respondents did not believe they had sufficient knowledge of special education law and expressed a need for additional preparation in special education law. Results support an increase in academic training in…

This study examined the perceptions of 58 special education administrators and 204 principals on the effect of requiring a minimum competency graduation examination for students with learning disabilities. Administrators felt the requirement would promote inclusive education but that without additional resources some students would experience…

A review of the research on the shortage of special education teachers and the role of attrition leads to eight recommendations to improve special educators' work environments and increase retention. Four of these recommendations are: hire certified teachers; use salaries and bonuses as incentives to remain; develop responsive induction programs…

A survey of 298 teachers found a relationship between burnout and teachers' perceptions of support from administrators and parents. It also found differing perceptions of support by teachers in urban, rural, and suburban locales. Results suggest the need for special education administrators to provide explicit support for special education…

A school superintendent looks at new demands on public education to "leave no child behind" and urges: (1) preservice training in learning processes for all teachers; (2) administrator training in curriculum best practices; (3) collaboration between regular and special educators; (4) provision of specialist skills in individual cases; and (5)…

Discussion of the effect of minimum competency tests for graduation notes both positive (such as greater access to the general curriculum) and negative (such as increased referrals to special education) to improve a school's overall scores. Continually changing special education procedures are seen, however, to have led to a decline in teachers…

A survey of 34 special education directors in large school districts that concerned how current education reforms are applied to children with disabilities examined academic content standards, assessments, and graduation and diplomas. Results indicate students with disabilities are differentially considered within specific reform policies and a…

This article examines requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997) regarding participation of students with disabilities in state- and district-wide assessments and access to the general curriculum. It considers implications for change in school district procedures concerning evaluation and reevaluation, Individualized…

Evaluation of out-of-district special education placement costs in the 15 largest Massachusetts public school districts found the criterion school district (which had developed a system-wide approach to behavioral intervention) had the lowest per capita cost, lowest percentage of total school budget consumed by out-of-district placements, and the…

A survey of 121 families who were home schooling children with special needs found family profiles were similar to the general home schooling population and, unlike the general home schooling population, children often spent as much time in a school setting as in a home school environment. Four case studies identified themes as needs-based…

This brief article notes a trend toward more reactive school administration practices in response to increased regulatory requirements and identifies problems encountered by special education administrators contributing to this reactive approach. It reports on one school district's proactive development of a "Unified Support Services Process and…

This article discusses increasing student diversity and its challenges to special education systems as more students need assistance to progress in the curriculum. It argues for whole school reorganization that reflects cultural understanding, permits flexibility in the use of resources, and is guided by clear accountability for student…

The situation of students with disabilities who also have limited English proficiency is addressed, including the identification of these students and a discussion of why it is important for them to participate in state and district assessments. Steps are recommended to ensure that these students are included so that they reap all the benefits of…