This digest contains three articles which consider ways to enhance the effectiveness of special education programs. The first article offers guidelines for more fully including special education in the school community, in the context of broader educational reform and restructuring efforts. First the need for reform is addressed. Next, indicators of special education program effectiveness are identified in the areas of mission and philosophy, governance, student outcomes and accountability, instruction, curriculum, teachers and other personnel, and program evaluation. The importance of establishing educational goals and accountability is stressed. A second article summarizes what research has to say about effective education practices, including results of effective schools research, educational practices which have not been validated, applied behavioral analysis, direct instruction, precision teaching, curriculum-based measurement, improving students' social skills, instruction in learning strategies, peer tutoring, and cooperative learning. A final article summarizes resources and information sources for special educators and parents, including the ERIC system, university and special libraries, the National Diffusion Network, and Regional Resource Centers. References accompany articles, and a list of organizational and print resources is also provided. (DB)