Role of Government Agencies in Enhancing Special Education

Abstract

Education is primary a state and local responsibility in the United States. It is states and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation. The appropriate roles for state in the education of all children continue to be an issue of urgent concern. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates cooperating and reporting between state and federal educational agencies. State educational agencies, in turn, must ensure that local schools and teachers are meeting the state’s educational standards. The importance of this responsibility creates controversy on how public education should be implemented and what policy directions state and local governments should take. It is apparent that enhancing public education programs to benefit all students requires a process of system change, as opposed to isolated programs and invalidated instructional practices often common with programming in some school districts. This chapter discusses the role of government agencies in enhancing special education and problems associated with it.

Citation

Obi, S. (2015), "Role of Government Agencies in Enhancing Special Education", Interdisciplinary Connections to Special Education: Important Aspects to Consider (Advances in Special Education, Vol. 30A), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 167-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0270-40132015000030A020