Parents on special education - Abstracts - Brief Article

School Administrator, Sept, 2002

The quality and accessibility of special education is detailed in a new study, "When It's Your Own Child: A Report on Special Education from the Families Who Use It" by Jean Johnson and Ann Duffett.

On the whole, the parents of special-needs students who were surveyed by Public Agenda approve of inclusionary efforts of the past decade and are optimistic their children are making academic progress. But they had mixed views on how policies for academic standards and testing should apply to special education, and most wanted accommodations for their children on high school exit exams.

In other findings:

* Two-thirds thought their school was doing a good or excellent job in serving their special-needs child;

* About half said better programs and policies, not more money, would be the best way to improve special education; and

* One in six parents say they have considered filing a lawsuit against the school system.

The study is available for $10 plus $2.50 shipping and handling and can be ordered at www.publicagenda.org.