Special Education at the Century's End is one of the most comprehensive examinations of special education to date.

It traces special education's development into a major institution in the United States by examining the major debates and decisions that occurred during its growth from the early 1970s, a period of optimism and anticipation, through the current era of controversy and reevaluation.

Special Education at the Century's End begins with articles from the 1970s, a time when children's rights to educational equity were being established in the courts and legislatures. The book then examines the reforms initiated in the 1970s and presents the changes that still must be made to ensure equity and fairness in education. The final section concentrates on special education practice by reevaluating traditional approaches to educating special needs students and offering new alternatives for working with and understanding these students.