The Rules Keep Changing: Special Education in a Reforming Education System

Abstract

The character of special education is being subjected to critical review in most countries. This scrutiny should take account of the impact on special education of reforms in education more generally, Equally, all education policy makers and school personnel should ensure that the interests of students with special educational needs are taken into account. This article considers how special education intersects with education reforms in general, with reference to such issues as choice, contestability, decentralisation, and accountability. Particular attention will be paid to events which have taken place in New Zealand since the institution of major reforms in educational administration in 1989.