The Special Projects Competition is a separate federal government priority authorized to support an increased quantity and improved quality of personnel available to educate infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Special project grants provide a means for the conceptualization of new approaches to preparation programs, the improvement of existing types of programs, and the opportunity to gain experience with prototypes. An historical analysis of 491 special projects funded from 1968-90 through the Division of Personnel Preparation in the United States Office of Special Education Programs was conducted to examine a variety of items such as year of award, applicant agency, project director, state, target population, content, and dollar amount. The percentage of inservice versus preservice is analyzed. The portion of training funds allocated to this priority is reviewed. The projects are analyzed against the backdrop of the movements in the profession at large, such as progressive inclusion, a holistic focus including the ecology of the child, the changing role of administration and personnel preparationprograms, and an infiltration of technology. (29 references) (Author/JDD)