A Commentary on Personal Thoughts on Early Childhood Special Education Research

Strain provides his perspective on four issues facing science and practice in early childhood and special education. He points to the need for (a) long-term functional research, (b) greater emphasis on the use of evidence-based programs in practice, (c) moving special education research back to the Office of Special Education Programs, and (d) research that focuses on individuals and “honor[s] the idiosyncratic needs of an ever more diverse population of families and learners.” Comments are provided regarding each of these perspectives.