In the last 100 years, research discoveries and new knowledge have transformed the lives of
many around the world. Special education research has provided equally startling advances
leading to improved practices that have dramatically improved the lives, learning, and
competencies of persons with and without disabilities. Common to research in all disciplines
is the gap between initial discoveries and their becoming a part of routine practices.
However, unique to special and general education research are the separateness of the …

… Many special education leaders have worked for years in special education as either teachers
or related services providers, and most states have standards for certification for the role of the
special education administrator/leader. With their broad formal … In this chapter, in addition to
discussing (a) research documenting the research-to-practice gap in special education and (b)
causes underlying the gap, we described selected approaches for bridging the
research-to-practice gap—including using trustworthy research syntheses to identify …