Administering Special Education Programs: A Practical Guide for School Leaders

This book is designed to augment current educational administration preparation programs. It provides information absent from the textbooks most widely used in the preparation of general education administrators. It addresses both the knowledge base and the attitudinal perspective needed by school administrators to serve students with special education needs. Topics covered include: legal issues, the nature of diverse students, curriculum considerations, resource utilization, administration of programs and services, collaboration-based leadership, and a parental perspective on teaming. Case studies related to issues raised in chapters provide opportunity for problem solving and reflective thinking.

The book may be used as a resource throughout the educational administration preparation program. Faculty using this book need not be special education experts. This work provides an initial level of knowledge and awareness of special education issues and includes references for more in-depth investigations. Educational administration faculty who align the various chapters and case studies with course objectives and topics covered in their educational administration preparation program will be able to maximize the book's utility. The book will stimulate reasoned discussion among prospective school administrators in graduate level preparation programs.

H. ROBERTA WEAVER is Associate Dean, School of Education and Allied Professions, University of Dayton.

MARY F. LANDERS is Director of Accreditation, School of Education and Allied Professions, University of Dayton.

THOMAS M. STEPHENS is Executive Director, School Study Council of Ohio.

ELLIS A. JOSEPH is Dean Emeritus, School of Education and Allied Professions, University of Dayton and Distinguished Service Professor.