Administrating Special Education in Our Schools - A Book Review

Special education in our schools is something that is very serious, and it costs a lot of money. We have some of the best and brightest figuring out how to do it correctly, and keep the costs low so we can afford to operate our school systems for all the kids. It is quite a challenge for us, but it is a major responsibility and a task we cannot ignore. If you'd like to read more information on this very serious subject I'd like to recommend a very good book to you.

This book explains the ins and outs of the reality behind what's going on. It's interesting that this book is well over 20 years old, but the same problems they've identified previously are the exact issues and problems that we have now. The name of the book is;

"Educational Administration and Special Education: a Handbook for School Administrators" by C. Lamar Myers, 1982

This is basically a Handbook for School Administrators, and although these curriculums had changed since it was originally published in 1982 most everything holds true today. Especially the concerns identified in the book concerning the funding of local and rural special-education, and the procedures that we use. We still have a shortage of qualified personnel in this field and that will probably continue and increase into the future.

The book also explains the history, which is quite fascinating and important to understand, so you can understand how we got to where we are today. The book also covers several other important topics such as;

What Are Sensory DisabilitiesIssues with Hearing, Behavioral DisordersOrganizational ModelsDifferences Between Small and Large School DistrictsBudget ChallengesThe Politics of Special-Education

Originally the rules were; not mainstreaming, rather "least restrictive alternative" or the least restrictive environment. Next, there were master plans for special education set up across the country. The author poses some questions that to this day still have not been rightfully addressed in special ed in many places. And goes into an in-depth look at; IEP's -Individual Education Plans; but first an assessment is needed. I hope you will please consider all this.

View the original article here