Transforming general and special education in urban schools

Abstract

In spite of the best efforts of educational policy analysts, local, state and federal legislation, researchers, and practitioners, the results of public schooling in the U.S. remains unsatisfactory on a variety of counts. This remains true particularly in our largest and most complex school systems. The limited impact of much school reform has led to a more systemic approach to educational reform. A systems perspective examines the whole organization and the interrelationships between its component parts. The systems approach to change, renewal and innovation is helpful not only as we think about the national picture but as we confront the everyday challenges of our work. The systemic change framework provides an approach to thinking about the work of practitioners, schools, and school districts to help reformers and change agents think about the benefits and counterbalances to innovations and improvements they propose.

Citation

Ferguson, D., Kozleski, E. and Smith, A. (2003), "Transforming general and special education in urban schools", Obiakor, F.E., Utley, C.A. and Rotatori, A.F. (Ed.) Effective Education for Learners with Exceptionalities (Advances in Special Education, Vol. 15), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 43-2*). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0270-4013(03)80033-8