1 The American educational system needs reform to appropriately serve students with special learning needs. Students with special learning needs are those with various types of disabilities (e.g., speech or language impairments, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or are disadvantaged (e.g., reluctant learners, pregnant, substance abusers). Special services and considerations are needed for these students to keep them in school and help them adjust to life beyond school: "The majority of students with special learning needs still encounter significant difficulties in achieving successful employment, independent living, and social relationships after leaving the educational system" (Brolin 11).
The main instigator of the current wave of educational reform is society as a whole. Numerous education laws have been passed by the state and federal government. Of great importance is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act Amendments of 1975, the Education Amendments of 1976, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984, The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 1987, the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, the Job Training Reform Amendments of 1992, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994, and the Goal 2000: Educate America Act. Some of these acts have been responsible for the evolution of instructional services from special classes for students with disabilities to the inclusion of students with special learning needs into regular classrooms.
2 The functional skills curriculum approach concentrates on course work that provides students with the instruction needed to acquire skills that e...