Abstract
The authors of this essay revisit what Special Education for students with disabilities in schools was intended to be in the post-Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) era. They highlight the similarities in pressures and concerns which have plagued, and still plague, the field of Special Education across the last two decades, including issues related to funding and teacher preparation. The authors challenge readers with the statement that, “Now is the time to ask hard questions about the efficacy of special education efforts.” To respond to the title question of the essay, they pose a set of questions based upon IDEA legislation and implementation concerns, and call upon Special Education professionals to ask, research, and answer the questions for the benefit of students with disabilities, their families and all others who have a stake in the answers.
Recommended Citation
Dickens, Virginia J. Ph.D. and Shamberger, Cynthia T. Ph.D.
(2017)
"Special Education Was Called that for a Reason: Is Special Education Special Yet?,"
Journal of Research Initiatives: Vol. 2:
Iss.
3, Article 12.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/jri/vol2/iss3/12
Included in
Disability and Equity in Education Commons, Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Special Education and Teaching Commons, Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons