ABSTRACT
In the first edition of this book (Valencia, 1991), an examination and analysis of the role of special education as a system was undertaken in light of significant gaps in achievement on the part of Chicano and other Latino students in the United States (Rueda, 1991). In that review, it was concluded that there were significant, systemic problems resulting in a system largely unresponsive to the educational needs of this group of students. A decade plus has passed since the publication of the initial volume. During this time there has been unprecedented and significant focus on education in the United States. Moreover, given this attention, the educational landscape is constantly shifting, and it is useful to revisit this issue at the beginning of the new millennium.
