A FEDERAL PERSPECTIVE ON IMPROVING PRACTICES, PROGRAMS, AND POLICIES IN SPECIAL-EDUCATION

Over the last 17 years, the federal legislative programs1 for assuring all individuals with disabilities a free appropriate education have p rovided a unique context for experimenting, observing, and interpretin g approaches to educational innovation and improvement. The dramatic g ains in access in equal educational opportunities, innovative advancem ents in practice, and improved service delivery have been supported by a wide range of federal strategies. These strategies have included su pport for research, policy evaluation, model demonstrations, clearing- houses, technical assistance, outreach, and system change. Cumulativel y, these activities have produced a professional knowledge base on imp roving the education and outcomes for individuals with disabilities an d supporting professionals to access and use professional knowledge as a mean for achieving better outcomes for children with disabilities.