This paper identifies and discusses major issues and trends in special education in the United States, including implications of these trends for future developments. Trends are discussed for the following areas: (1) philosophy and law (a communitarian philosophy is emerging); (2) labels and terminology (a trend toward declassification); (3) assessment and evaluation (there will be an increase in ecological assessments); (4) early childhood and postsecondary education (special education will be viewed as lifespan schooling); (5) transitions and life skills (these will receive greater emphasis); (6) inclusion and integration (issues will remain unresolved in the near future); (7) consultation and collaboration (more emphasis, but problems remain); (8) cultural diversity; and (9) gifted and talented (mor emphasis on multiple facets). There is also likely to be more effort to coordinate various agency services to bring about improved affordability of assistive technology devices to deal with continuing problems of teacher shortages and teacher training, recognizing the need for both specialist and generalist training; and to undertake more school effectiveness research. Specific conclusions and predictions center on the pendulum swing between service provision in integrated or segregated settings. (Contains 45 references.) (DB)