The Third Edition features enhanced coverage of the 1997 Reauthorization of IDEA, professional collaboration, and the legal rights and responsibilities of exceptional students and their teachers.

The book continues to offer extensive practical suggestions for classroom teachers, including attention to cultural and linguistic diversity and fostering social acceptance, in addition to an overview of the different types of exceptionalities that teachers find in their classrooms. Features on technology, legal rights, diversity, and teaching ideas are included throughout the book. More emphasis on collaboration among general and special educators has been added to this edition, along with information on new requirements from the 1997 reauthorization of IDEA, including statewide assessments and IEP teams.

With its continued focus and philosophy on helping teachers provide all students with appropriate educational opportunities, this practical survey helps general classroom teachers meet the diverse challenges of students with special needs.