ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the important current trends and issues facing special education administrators. As a special education leader, balancing the newest educational innovations with the need to provide services leading to positive student outcomes and to comply with the procedural requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a constant challenge. A unified approach used by many schools and districts to address the learning needs of all and provide instruction focused on the general education standards utilizes a framework involving a tiered level of services. The involvement of special education leaders in their district’s planning, implementation, and evaluation of general education reform efforts can positively increase the ability of students with disabilities to achieve academic and social growth within the general education setting, however, the work of special education requires additional attention. Colleen Livingston is the Director of Special Education at the East Pennsboro School District in Enola, Pennsylvania.
