ABSTRACT
From its onset, the special education system has been fraught with challenges that continue to increase for special education leaders. This chapter will outline the historic and the recent challenges that have limited that vision from becoming a reality. It will describe the current culture of intense conflict in the field. The chapter references the reasons why we need to redesign special education and challenges readers to reflect on the challenges they face but also to recall why they are doing this important work. This chapter ends with the proposal that the redesign that is needed cannot be focused on the “what” as much as the “how” of special education leadership. By adopting a framework of authentic collaboration, schools and districts can begin to see meaningful change within their existing structures. The chapter is intended to explain why this book is needed and to hook into future chapters and content that will further explore this collaborative approach.
