Special Education: What It Is and Why We Need It

Special Education: What It Is and Why We Need It provides a thorough examination of the basic concept of special education, a discussion of specific exceptionalities, and constructive responses to common criticisms of special education. Whether you're a teacher, school administrator, teacher-educator, or simply interested in the topic, you will learn just what special education is, who gets it or who should get it, and why it is necessary. The second edition of this brief yet powerful primer will help you build the foundation of a realistic, rational view of the basic assumptions and knowledge on which special education rests.

James M. Kauffman (Ed.D., University of Kansas) is Professor Emeritus of Education at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. He was the William Clay Parrish Professor of Education from 1992-1994 and the Charles S. Robb Professor of Education 1999-2003. He is a past president of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders. He received the Research Award, Council for Exceptional Children in 1994, the Outstanding Leadership Award, Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders in 2002, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from School of Education at the University of Kansas in 2011. 　

Daniel P. Hallahan (Ph.D., University of Michigan) is Professor Emeritus of Education at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. He was the Charles S. Robb Professor of Education at the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education from 2003-2013. He was the inaugural editor of　Exceptionality　and serves on the editorial boards of Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, Learning Disability Quarterly, The Journal of Special Education, and Exceptionality. He is a past president of the Division of Learning Disabilities of CEC and in 2000 received the CEC Career Research Award.　

Paige C. Pullen (Ph.D., University of Florida) is Research Professor in the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies as well as the Literacy Initiatives Manager in the Lastinger Center at the University of Florida. She has been principal investigator of many federally funded projects and has authored or coauthored many books, chapters, and articles. She has provided training for both in-service teachers and pediatricians in the USA and also in Zambia and Botswana. She is the editor of the journal　Exceptionality　and serves on the editorial boards of many other journals.

Jeanmarie Badar (Ph.D., University of Virginia) is Instructional Assistant in 2nd grade classrooms in the Charlottesville City Schools. She was a special education teacher for 25 years and served on the faculty of James Madison University. She completed her Master's degree in special education at Kent State University and received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. The Badar/Kauffman endowed Conference on Contemporary Issues in Special Education was named in her honor. She is co-author with James Kauffman of another book,　The Scandalous Neglect of Children's Mental Health: What Schools Can Do.