Special Education: from disability to exceptionality

[Extract:] Special education is influenced by changes in philosophical understandings of disability and the role of disabled people within society and shaped by social, economic, cultural, and political reforms over time. The early beginnings of special education emerge in care settings through charity, religion, and institutions and combine with work settings to then transform into formal public education systems. Reforms to the disability sector and special education are argued on the basis of morality, values, social justice, and human rights and challenged through advocacy, legislation, policy, research, and practice. Key debates in special education include conceptual understandings of disability, language and labeling, placement, inclusion/exclusion, cost and funding, assessment, curriculum instruction, and behavior management.