State competency testing was increasing. The results of competency testing was published in local newspapers. Publicity meant that principals were under pressure to improve school achievement test scores. If they shifted low achieving kids into special education classes, these children would not be counted against them. Later In 1988, Galen Alessi published his study of school psychology practices.
Principals are school leaders.
The principals who were interviewed for this study believed that schools don't need change - even when children aren't learning. If you are a parent and your child is having problems at school, the school staff probably believes that the problems are your fault - or your child's fault. This is the power of school culture . You need to understand that these beliefs are as old as public schools - so you won't succeed in changing them. Study salesmanship - how to make people want to give you what you want.