The Desegregation of America's Special Schools: Strategies for Change

There is strong philosophical, legal, and empirical support for integrated educational programs for students with severe disabilities. In spite of this support, significant numbers of students with severe handicaps continue to be educated in segregated special schools. This article briefly reviews the support for integration and presents a framework for planned educational change, based on the extant racial desegregation literature. This report includes a discussion of the logistical issues facing school administrators and an analysis of effective leadership roles in the change process.