Date of Award

7-1-1976

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Robert O'Reilly

Second Advisor

Dr. Kirk Naylor

Third Advisor

Dr. Paul Kennedy

Abstract

In October, 1974,.the Department of Special Education of the Council Bluffs Community Schools was requested to do a needs assessment for the newly created Area Education Agency XIII. The Department of Special Education was also charged with the responsibility for developing a master plan for special education services in the district. A Special Education Needs Study completed October 16, 1975 by the Department of Special Education of the Council Bluffs Community Schools for Area Education Agency XIII indicated that more services were needed. Anticipated expansion was due, in part, to new legislation, not only mandating special education, but providing extensive financing for these services. The education of handicapped children presents unique school problems which necessitates a guidebook outlining services and administrative procedures to be used. The review of related research points to some of the problems encountered in educating handicapped children. For example, Peckens (1967, p. 23) feels that parent education can help parents who need to overcome feelings of disappointment, rejection, or disgrace, which they may have concerning their mentally retarded child. The guidebook provides guidelines for parent involvement such as counselling with parents at every stage of the referral assessment and placement procedure. As stated in the guidebook this is done so that parents can gain a gradual understanding of their child's handicapping condition. Parents are also given an opportunity to share feelings they have concerning their handicapped child.

Comments

A Field Project Presented to the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Specialist in Education. Copyright 1976 Joseph DiLorenzo

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