This discussion provides a historical overview of how policy has influenced the preparation of leaders for special education. Professional leadership standards that guide knowledge and skill acquisition to support preparation and professional learning are framed using historical contexts. Leadership practices are identified that hold promises for…

Introduction: Education is a fundamental right for all children, including those with disability [UN (United Nations). 2013. General Assembly, 68th Session. "The Way Forward: A Disability-Inclusive Developmental Agenda Towards 2015 and Beyond: Report of the Secretary-General (A/68/95)". June 14. (Masthead). (2012 Readex microfiche).].…

This study uses the "Index for Inclusion", developed by Booth and Ainscow, as a framework for investigating inclusive provision in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), introduced through the "School for All" initiative. The study, by Nadera Emran Alborno of the American University in Dubai and Eman Gaad of the British University in…

Although inclusion has been a value set forth in international policy arenas and a focus for school development research indicate the problems in establishing more inclusive practices. Although teachers may favor an inclusive model of education, they may experience difficulties in the implementation of inclusive practices. The aim of this article…

This paper first provides a critic of the implementation of compulsory national assessment protocols internationally, and then nationally through a review of the implementation process used for the introduction of National Standards in New Zealand, and National Testing in Norwegian mainstream schools. It then reviews the impact of these two…

This paper deals with 2 focal points of inclusive education, which is the integral segment of the current education reform in the Bosnia and Herzegovina: its position in various proclamations and in primary school teachers' reality, i.e., legislative aspects vs. everyday situation in primary schools. The survey research was carried out through the…

The writer, a former federal official, reviews national policy developments regarding the effectiveness of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. He cites findings from a survey of five school districts which found difficulties with implementation of the least restrictive environment principle and the broadened definition of…

The practice of mainstreaming preschool children is critically analyzed by examining the nature of the federal policy that has resulted in mainstreaming and the status of implementing the goals and objectives that the policy seeks to address. (PN)

The goal of the Hamilton and Waterloo Catholic School Boards in Ontario, Canada, is to meet the needs of all children, in ordinary, age-appropriate classes in neighborhood schools. This report focuses on this approach of teaching students and disabilities, terming it "full inclusion." The report describes local school board policy and…

Principals of site-based managed schools face numerous special-education program implementation challenges, such as appropriate committee compositions, inconsistent service delivery decisions across schools, interschool isolation, deflection of advocates, and policy guidance problems. Principals are ill-trained for inclusion and special-education…

This study, based on the findings of a doctoral dissertation by the author, compared the policies and procedures adopted by state special education agencies concerning the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education and evaluated the level of implementation of inclusive practices. Responses of 36 state directors of special…

Children First, which is Nottinghamshire, England's policy to increase mainstreaming of children with special educational needs, has been implemented by planning for cooperative rather than competitive change and providing resources for change. The policy has helped maintain the profile of these children at a time when they were at risk of being…

A survey of 224 early childhood special education public school programs in Massachusetts obtained information on program implementation, child characteristics, program settings, service characteristics, teacher characteristics, family involvement, and funding/administration. Results revealed important variations among school districts in…

This collection of papers addresses significant issues related to the training of general educators to prepare them for the education of handicapped students in regular classrooms. Authors make specific recommendations for policymakers as they consider effective inservice and preservice programs. Papers are presented on the following topics: (1)…

This qualitative policy study of 6 states and 12 school districts identified 6 factors that influenced implementation of least restrictive environment provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Factors included financing, the state-local context, organization, advocacy, implementors, and knowledge and values. The study…