Briefly reviewed is the historical perspective of school psychology, demographic information on the numbers of school psychologists, and services to special education, including underused roles in inservice education and research and evaluation. (DB)

The introductory article to this special issue on sociocultural perspectives in special education focuses on sociocultural theory in the 21st century, especially cultural shifts as a function of history, demographic shifts, power shifts to such groups as nongovernment organizations, and the importance of assuring equal access to education for…

As part a 3-year study to identify emerging issues and trends in technology for special education, this paper proposes a conceptual framework specifying critical assumptions and predictions. Specifically addressed are assumptions in the areas of future home and family programs. The United States is seen by authors quoted in this review of the…

The paper, originally given at a 1986 Ethnic and Multicultural Symposium, looks at special education and the changing society in terms of ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, birth rate, and school completion. Current and emerging demographic characteristics are related to special education policy, organization, training, research, and…

The article identifies challenges in special education during the 1990's including determining who is to be served, demographic changes, the dropout problem, making the most of resources, advocacy for teachers, collaboration with other professionals, expanding the knowledge base regarding effective instruction, the special education-regular…

The disproportionate representation of children of color in special and gifted education can be conceptualized through an a-b-c analysis: antecedent, behavior, and consequence. The focus for remedies should be shifted from antecedent conditions and the resulting behaviors to the consequences that perpetuate disproportionate representation.…

Changes in the social demography of the United States call for increasing multicultural collaboration, consultation, and cooperation at educational and leadership levels. General and special educators must learn to collaborate, consult, and cooperate with each other if they are serious about addressing local, national, or global problems. The…

Using the methodology of force field analysis, the paper develops possible futures for special education based on current trends. Demographic forces impacting special education include age changes, ethnicity changes, the needs of emerging language minorities, specific change in the youth population, environmental factors and the incidence of…

This report describes progress made toward increasing the independence and quality of life for persons with disabilities since the National Council on the Handicapped's 1986 report "Toward Independence." Of the 45 legislative recommendations proposed in the 1986 report, 80 percent have been either partially or fully accomplished.…

This policy brief reports on a study exploring state by state variation in placement rates for students with disabilities in either regular or special education settings and the relationship of economic, sociodemographic, and educational factors to these rates. The study analyzed data for the school year 1992-93 and compared the percent of…

This paper discusses implications of open enrollment polices for students with disabilities and for districts that gain or lose students with disabilities through transfer. An introductory section examines how open enrollment differs from other "choice" options and offers general arguments for and against open enrollment. The remainder of the…

Sixteen papers, developed as part of a 10-year study of substantive and methodological aspects of teacher education in special education at the University of South Florida, address professional issues in special education. The papers are: (1) "To Improve or Reconstruct Special Education: Issues Facing the Field" (James L. Paul and Ann…

Examines the history and various educational constructs underlying different programs for at-risk students and recent federal and state legislative definitions of at-risk students. Presents a legal analysis of the different types of definitions; determines the social construction of reality implicit in the definitions and poses possible…

This paper examines changing demographics in the American work force during the 1990s and implications for the economy, for America's ability to compete globally, and for industry and education. In response to these workplace and demographic changes, the National Association for Industry-Education Cooperation utilized the technique of networking…

This document is a request by the Kentucky Department of Education for state legislation to mandate services and provide new state funding for preschool children aged 3, 4, and 5, with handicaps. Preschool services would include special education (center, home-based, itinerant); speech, physical, and occupational therapies; and other related…