National leadership for children and youth with serious emotional disturbance: Progress and prospects

Despite the federal mandate to identify & serve children & youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED), national statistics & longitudinal studies show exceptionally low rates of identification; unacceptably low rates of school completion; high rates of placement in segregated environments; evidence that economic & demographic factors substantially affect identification, placement, & school completion; & a mixed, mostly discouraging picture of postschool outcomes. Recent national leadership, composed of strategic planning, research, & demonstration initiatives, has gained momentum to improve outcomes for children with SED. Significant changes are anticipated as a result of the upcoming reauthorization of the statute governing special education & related services. These changes reflect a twenty-year perspective regarding the benefits & shortcomings of current eligibility criteria & discretionary initiatives for improving outcomes for children with disabilities. The manner in which these changes may affect prospects for better serving children with SED is discussed. 1 Figure, 45 References. Adapted from the source document.