Examines the history of special education by categorical areas (for example, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, and Autistic Spectrum Disorders). This title includes chapters on the changing philosophy related to educating students with exceptionalities as well as a history of legal and legislation content concerned with special education.

"Elizabeth Farrell made inclusion, individualized education, and comprehensive assessment her causes at a time when prominent psychologists argued to segregate people with disabilities from society. In this male-dominated field, Farrell made a case for what would become special educaiton and found success, but she could not have anticipated that her efforts to reoganize other teachers around her cause would evolve into the world's largest and most influential special education association, the Council for Exceptional Children. This engaging work ensures Farrell's incredible story wil not be forgotten." from the cover.

An introductory history, written by a special educator for special educators, aiming to resurrect and interpret the past in order to cast new light on important issues of today. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This official study examines more than 20 years of Federal monitoring and enforcement of compliance with Part B of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) with a view towards ensuring the rights of the disabled to a quality education. It includes recommendations to the President and Congress to strengthen IDEA.

This follow-up to the first volume focuses on key dynamics consist of a retrospective overview of the paradigms that emerged from and shaped special education; a critical assessment of past progress and reform, including failures and disappointments; and an analysis of the theoretical diversity within the discipline.

Osgood examines the history of the school lives of children placed in formal or informal special education settings in American public schools during the last 120 years. As the public school system in the United States grew throughout the 20th century, special education became a recognized and dependable, but marginalized, arm of public schooling. Throughout the 1900s special education emerged as its own world in many ways, developing policies, practices, structures, and an identity that became more diverse and inclusive. This work describes and interprets the nature and characteristics of special education. It examines carefully the human aspects of identification and placement; the nature of work and play in the classroom; the relationship among students, teachers, administrators, and parents involved in the process; the status and relation of children with disabilities to their non-disabled peers in various school settings; and the impact of school experiences on the lives of these children beyond school.

Comparing Special Education unites in-depth comparative and historical studies with analyses of global trends to uncover similarities and differences found in special education systems around the world.