Federalism and Special Education

Paper Summary:

This study proposes to compare current federal special education policies in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. It outlines the policies and guidelines of each nation, specifically addressing accountability standards, funding and eligibility criteria for students with disabilities in state-sponsored education systems. This research draws on current literature and statistics to provide a comparative analysis of patterns and trends in existing policies.

Table of Contents:
Research Topic & Significance of the Project
Literature Review
Federalism in Education
Education Policy in Australia, New Zealand and the United States
Special Education Policy across Three Nations
Methodology
Research Questions & Hypotheses
Data Collection
Statistical Analyses
Special Education Typologies: Analysis and Discussion
Towards a System of Best Practices: Conclusion and Recommendations

From the Paper:

"This first analysis will be qualitative in nature. It will review the existing special education policies relative to development and content in relation to the nation's degree of federalism and other discovered variables. Individual traits in each nation that may play a role in policy development will also be defined. These potentially include terminology, history, population density, constitutional foundations, and organizational levels of interest/advocacy groups. I anticipate that this comparison may lead to a discussion of the cultural, structural, and political factors that influence policy development and implementation, and the degree to which policies adopted elsewhere can apply across countries. If this anticipated outcome is realized, than it will be clear that federalism is not the only variable that affects special education policy in each of these nations."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alper, S. & Ryndak, D.L. (1992) Education Students with Severe Handicaps in Regular Classes. The Elementary School Journal, 92(3).
• American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington DC
• Apter, Steven J. and Jane Close Conoley, Childhood Behavior Disorders and Emotional Disturbance (1984)
• Caldwell, B.J. (1998) Administrative and Regulatory Mechanisms affecting School Autonomy in Australia. Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Canberra, Australia.
• Chinni, Dante. "A Bad IDEA." Washington Monthly (May 1996).

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