Some of the challenges facing educators of mentally retarded students are of recent origin. Others are old problems of unresolved issues. The problems involve political, economic, ecological, social, and ethical decisions concerning the life styles and ultimate fulfillment of retarded people living in a complex world. Because demands made by changes in the present day environment may require new types of intervention for appropriate behavior to occur, it is important that professional educators continually study, seek out, and generate the best resources available. Dr. Betty A. Hare, President of the CEC-MR Division, and Mr. [eptha V. Greer, Executive Director of the Council, discuss some of these considerationsfrom their perspectives as special educators as well as from their positions in the professional organization. Dr. Hare is currently assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences, Indian River Community College, Fort Pierce, Florida. Prior to this, she was professor and chairperson of the Department or Special Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, where she received her M.Ed. degree in 1969 and an Ed.D degree in 1972. She is a former teacherof educable mentally retarded children and director of a us Office of Education project, Individualizing Instruction [or Mentally Retarded Learners. Other professional responsibilities have included serving as an associate editor of Exceptional Children and a department editor of Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded. Prior to assuming his position at CEC Headquarters in Reston, Virginia, Mr. Greer was Director of Special Education and Assistant Superintendent of Supporting Instructional Services, DeKalb County School SyJtem, Georgia. Earlier in his career he taught educable mentally retarded students in Charlotte, North Carolina, was afaculty memberof Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and was Supervisor of Mental Retardation in St. Louis County. Mr. Greer has served as president of the CEC Atlanta Area Chapter, the Georgia Federation, and the Georgia Council of Administrators I!f Special Education. He was a fellow under Public Law 85-926 at George Peabody College in Special Education Administration and received a general education administration certificate through the University of Georgia.
Jordan et al. (1980) studied this question.