PARENT ATTITUDES ABOUT SPECIAL-EDUCATION AND REINTEGRATION - WHAT IS THE ROLE OF STUDENT OUTCOMES

Parents (N=21) of children receiving special education resource room s ervices in reading were interviewed to learn about their views concern ing these services and reintegration decisions. Quantitative and quali tative research strategies were used to scale attitudes and cluster re sponses. Most parents had strong positive attitudes toward resource ro om services. The basis for these attitudes was explored, and it was fo und that parents' satisfaction was derived primarily from subjective p erceptions (such as teachers' caring), rather than academic performanc e data. Most parents were reluctant to have their children reintegrate d into general education classes for reading instruction. Findings are discussed in the context of special education reform efforts.