Who,How,and Where

Abstract

Special education is a product of the nature of human learning and the group orientation of regular education. It will survive or reemerge after the current assault and will continue to confront the chronic issues raised by Deno and Dunn. Professional divisions persist among special educators, and between us and regular educators. Debate continues over the population whom special education “ought” to serve. Individualization remains far more advocated than implemented. The right to an individualized placement decision based on the full continuum of alternative placements is at risk. To save the essential core of the discipline, special education must turn to data, child advocacy, and outcome-based instruction and turn away from slogans, program advocacy, and process-centered approaches.