The Effectiveness of Regional Center Cooperatives and Regional Education Cooperatives in Providing Special Education Services to Rural New Mexico

Abstract

Rural schools have often encountered difficulty implementing special education programs designed for larger, urban settings. Regional cooperatives have emerged as a solution for many rural schools in order to meet the needs of their special education populations. In this study, the directors of each of the 10 regional cooperatives in New Mexico, along with special education directors of 27 selected rural schools throughout the state, were surveyed regarding their perception of the effectiveness of regionalized services. The results of this study suggest that the regional cooperative approach utilized in New Mexico provides services and personnel that the schools would have difficulty maintaining individually. Although both respondent groups identified many benefits to the current service delivery model, areas of concern were also identified. Results of the study are discussed in light of historical limitations faced by rural special education personnel and programs.

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