Leadership in Special Education

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how a leader needs the ability to comprehensively understand the background and the potential of special education as well as be conversant with the increasing acceptance and usage of technology and computers. The paper further relates that leaders in special education must take into account the changes and reform policies in special education while also being aware of potentially negative outcomes of the policy for students with disabilities. Finally, the paper discusses the actual quality and style of leadership that is required.

From the Paper:

"The issue of leadership in the arena of special education is one that carries with it many responsibilities - particularly in the light of policy changes and reforms that are being implemented in special education. The leader has to take cognizance of the latest trends in the field, such as the move towards the integration of special education into the mainstream schools.
"However, paramount to the issue of leadership in this area is the ability to comprehensively understand the background and the potential of special education. The leader has to be fully aware of the central aspects that underlie the problematics of special education. This refers to the basic fact that not all students or pupils have the same learning and receptive abilities when it comes to knowledge acquisition. Coupled with this is the increasing acceptance in the contemporary educational milieu of the principle of the inclusive classroom; where the ideal is to include all students with differing and variable learning potentials, as well as those with disabilities in the learning process."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Apted K., Macnee K, Court M. and Riley, T. ( 2007) The Development of Schoolwide Programmes in Gifted and Talented Education -- What can we learn from other schools? New Zealand Principals' Federation Magazine; 2007, pp.37- 46.
• Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement. July 3, 2007http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm#langlearner
• Crockett, J. B., & Kauffman, J. M. (1999). The Least Restrictive Environment Its Origins and Interpretations in Special Education. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved December 26, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=48968817
• Defur S. EDUCATION REFORM, HIGH-STAKES ASSESSMENT, AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. Remedial & Special Education, Jul/Aug2002, Vol. 23, Issue 4.
• Effects of Success Maker Math on Students with Learning Disabilities in Inclusive and Special Education Classrooms. Retrieved December 24, 2007, from http://209.85.129.104/search?q=cache:KYjB6YQvXkAJ:www.otterbein.edu/dept/EDUC/JTIR/Volume%2520I/woodfinal.pdf+effects+of+What+are+the+effects+of+Instructional+Technology+on+6th+grade+students+with+the+Specific+Learning+disability&l=en&t=clnk&d=1&l=za

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