THE FORDHAM FOUNDATION AND THE PROGRESSIVE POLICY INSTITUTE. CHESTER FINN, JR., ANDREW ROTHERHAM & CHARLES HOKANSON, JR., EDS. RETHINKING SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR A NEW CENTURY (MAY 2001).
From the preface by Madeleine Will. "Make no mistake: Rethinking Special Education for a New Century is a thorough critique that is always stimulating, sometimes brilliant, sometimes harsh, and sometimes misguided. After all, these essays were written, as stated in the editors' foreword, mostly by individuals who "are astute observers and practiced analysts for whom this was a new topic." I hasten to add that one could not have expected these authors to have developed the perspective and insight that comes from living with a disability or living with a person who has a disability. Nor could one have expected them to have the perspective and insight that comes from teaching and working within the special education system. What one will find in the following pages, however, is the sound of the beginning (the first salvo, if you will) of the 2002 IDEA reauthorization. My sincerest hope is that this next reauthorization will occur in the context of an informed, wide-ranging, and civilized debate. My sincerest hope is also that my colleagues and friends in the universe of special education and disability policy will welcome the participation of those outside our universe who seek to understand our vision for students with disabilities and offer to join with us in re-shaping it for the 21st century."
Ms. Will is Vice President of Strategic Planning and Advocacy at Community Options, a Princeton-based nonprofit agency providing employment services and appropriate housing for people with disabilities. She formerly served as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services in the U.S. Department of Education.
The File attachment is the "chapter highlights." To read the entire publication visit The Fordham Foundation to download the chapter that interests you most. You can also download selected chapters or the entire book (374 pages) at the Progressive Policy Institute's home page.
