Description
Book SynopsisSuperintendents, central office administrators, principals, school board members and students in the field of education will find this book to be useful in guiding their own professional development and practice. The authors cover a variety of useful topics in special education, ranging from finances, how to systematically monitor the assignment of paraprofessionals, and transportation, to legal considerations and methods of promoting parent engagement. Co-editors Bittel and Young invited seasoned educators and professionals to share their expertise in a wide range of important subjects that collectively promote an understanding of how to transform special education programs and service delivery in public school settings. Chapter topics were intentionally selected to address the common special education program challenges facing school superintendents; and the focus throughout this book was on providing practical suggestions to improve actual practice. As such, current and aspiring educational leaders and policy-makers who are interested in learning more about how to successfully tackle some of the more complex challenges in special education while find this book to be an invaluable resource.
Trade ReviewThis book offers school administrators and policy-makers with a practical, research-based reference for understanding and working with students in special education. It offers pragmatic insights into such important subjects as effective leadership practices, legal regulations, and solutions for budgetary challenges that are confronted each and every day in our nation’s schools. -- Lynne M. Celli, PhD, associate dean for graduate education programs, Endicott College, Beverly, MA
We have taken on the challenge that no country in the world has ever undertaken: educating all the children. This book is very much of a ‘how to guide’ for those educational leaders who have taken up this challenge. -- Tom Watkins, Michigan's State Superintendent of Schools, 2001-05
Superintendents must address the escalating costs, the expanding needs and the measurement/metric challenges in special education. The Urgency of Special Education Mandates should be on every superintendent’s desk. -- Randall Collins, Past President of AASA, Retired Superintendent of Schools, Waterford, CT.
This book is an excellent combination of strong research and real life solutions to securing the best support for our children with special needs. This is a much needed expansion of the thinking that will secure success for special education in our schools. -- W. George Selig
Table of ContentsIntroduction Acknowledgements 1.The Superintendent’s Role in Special Education Leadership David Larson Ph.D., Herbert Levine, Ph.D., Dominick Vita Ph.D. & Nicholas Young Ph.D., Ed.D. 2.Organizational, Personnel and Fiscal Considerations in the Oversight of Special Education Services Brian Edwards, M.Ed. & Dominick C. Vita, Ph.D. 3.Forming a Necessary Partnership: Engaging the Families of Special Needs Students Peter Davies, MA & Christine N. Michael, Ph.D. 4.Rethinking the Assignment of Paraprofessionals: Ensuring Students are Well Served Within Budget Constraints Peter J. Bittel, Ed.D., Nicholas D. Young, Ph.D., Ed.D. & Michael Neiman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP 5.Methods to Meet the Budget Challenges in Special Education Peter Bittel, Ed.D. & Herb Levine, Ph.D. 6.NCLB and IDEA: Related Services and the Law Peter Bittel, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, Erin Edwards, M.A., CCC- SLP, Herbert Levine, Ph.D., Michael Neiman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, & Wendy C. Reed, Esq. 7.Superintendent’s Use of Special Education Data and Performance Measures in an Environment of Accountability George David Jack, M.Ed., MBA 8.Special Education Transportation: Why is it Expensive and What Can Be Done to Reduce the Cost Richard Labrie, M.Ed. Biographies References
