Discussed are ideas concerning the basic assumptions, the needs, and necessary future changes of special education. Social realities with which special education must cope are summarized: polarization of society, population growth, new expectations, the knowledge explosion, change in role and function of the family, depersonalization of behavior patterns, and economic limitations. Examination of the role of special education as related to the total social matrix of American life is urged, as is avoidance of separation from the mainstream of American education. Problems in special education pointed out include lack of personnel, use of categories or labels, definition of role and scope, and relationship to regular education. Alternatives, or possible solutions to some of these problems, suggested are rejection of the self-contained classroom as the basic model for special education, adoption of a multi-factoral model (similar to what is now called the resource room), and adoption of the total concept of the differentiated staffing process, which would provide for individualized education by abolishing special education labels and concepts such as grade level. (KW)