The proceedings of the 1986 Symposium on the Future of Special Education contains 12 papers. Presenters represented the following groups: state education agency directors, large school district directors, small school district directors, teachers, parents, teacher educators, researchers, and Canadian school administrators. An initial paper by F. Weintraub presents the series of goals developed by the Symposium and the Council for Exceptional Children. The remaining papers have the following titles and authors: "Current and Emerging Forces Impacting Special Education" (J. Yates); "Implementation of P.L. 94-142 and Its Accomplishments, Problems and Future Challenges: A State Education Agency Perspective" (J. Schrag); "Special Education in a Small School District: Past, Present, and Future" (J. McGlothlin); "The Role of Research in the Future of Special Education" (J. Gallagher); "The Journey of a Teacher: Bridging Gaps, Traveling New Roads" (M. D. Barringer); "The Future of Special Education: A Parent's Case Study" (P. McGill Smith); "Education for Exceptional Students Case Study: A Large District 1976-1986" (D. Gillespie); "The Professional Odyssey of Dr. Kairo Aorist: A Case Study of Teacher Preparation in Special Education" (P. Cegelka); "Special Education in Canada: Past, Present and Future" (C. Hodder); "Special Education in the Year 2000 and Beyond: A Proposed Action Agenda for Addressing Selected Ideas" (M. Semmel); "Framework for Policy and Action in Special Education: An International Perspective" (R. Gall). Appended are lists of the symposium planning committee and the 50 participants. (DB)