Special Education ― What It Is and Why We Need It

Special Education: What it is and Why We Need It provides a thorough examination of the basic concept of special education, a discussion of specific exceptionalities, and constructive responses to common criticisms of special education. Whether you’re a teacher, school administrator, teacher-educator, or simply interested in the topic, you will learn just what special education is, who gets it or who should get it, and why it is necessary. The 2^nd edition of this brief yet powerful primer, a co-publication with the Council for Exceptional Children, will help you build the foundation of a realistic, rational view of the basic assumptions and knowledge on which special education rests.

James M. Kauffman is Professor Emeritus of Education at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. He was the William Clay Parrish Professor of Education from 1992–1994, the Charles S. Robb Professor of Education 1999–2003, and received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Curry School of Education in 1997. He received the Research Award, Council for Exceptional Children in 1994 and the Outstanding Leadership Award, Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders in 2002.

Daniel P. Hallahan has been the Charles S. Robb Professor of Education at the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education since 1971. He was the inaugural editor of Exceptionality and serves on the editorial boards of Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, Learning Disability Quarterly, The Journal of Special Education, and Exceptionality. He is a past president of the Division of Learning Disabilities of CEC and in 2000 received the CEC Career Research Award.

Paige Pullen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at the University of Virginia. She holds a joint appointment in the U.Va. School of Medicine.

Jeanmarie Badar is Assistant Professor of Special Education at James Madison University.