A FEDERAL PERSPECTIVE ON IMPROVING PRACTICES, PROGRAMS, AND POLICIES IN SPECIAL-EDUCATION

Over the last 17 years, the federal legislative programs1 for assuring all individuals with disabilities a free appropriate education have provided a unique context for experimenting, observing, and interpreting approaches to educational innovation and improvement. The dramatic gains in access in equal educational opportunities, innovative advancements in practice, and improved service delivery have been supported by a wide range of federal strategies. These strategies have included support for research, policy evaluation, model demonstrations, clearing-houses, technical assistance, outreach, and system change. Cumulatively, these activities have produced a professional knowledge base on improving the education and outcomes for individuals with disabilities and supporting professionals to access and use professional knowledge as a mean for achieving better outcomes for children with disabilities.