Special Education in America's Cities: A Descriptive Study.

Overview & Synopsis

This study examined the management, operation, and effectiveness of special education programs in 33 urban school districts from 1984-85 through 1986-87. Data were collected on special education students, facilities, budgets, pre-referral, referral, placement, exit from special education programs, program evaluation, vocational education, related services, special education complaints and hearings, mainstreaming, and student progress evaluation criteria. Findings are organized around six underlying themes: the stability of school district enrollments and funding for special education programs; the referral and subsequent placement of students in special education programs; the incidence of complaints and hearings; the impact of federal and state regulations on program evaluation; the integration of special and regular education programs; and policy and program recommendations. No major increasing trends were found in enrollment or expenditures over the years studied. Numbers of inappropriate referrals were reduced. Complaints and hearings were not a major problem in most areas, and most special education students were enrolled in buildings that also held regular education classes. Recommendations based on these and other findings are offered. Eleven appendices describe the study's methodology and present raw data. (PB)