Despite the fact that improving regular education appears to be a sound initiative for reducing special education enrollment and costs, it is equally important to note that special education needs to remain an alternative for some proportion of the student population. Rigor and relevance in program is important for every student, regular and special alike. As noted before, regular and special education have a symbiotic relationship. Each can learn from the other. By working together, the life results for all students can be enhanced, which is, of course, the primary mission of education of any type.
Introduction Begin with the end in mind.
Fit programs to students, not students to programs. Organizational culture and structure count. The practitioner's role is pivotal. Multidisciplinary instruction is extraordinarily difficult, but well worth the effort. Standards need to be relative, not universal.