Total Quality Education with an application to special education

Special Education programs for children was the mandate of Public Law 94-142. Since reauthorized as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this legislation seeks to provide all students with disabilities an appropriate educational program. W. Edwards Deming developed the principles and philosophy of the Total Quality Management (TQM) movement which was later adapted to education as Total Quality Education (TQE). The process of Total Quality Education values the quality of the product, contribution of the participants, and the continuous improvement throughout the organization. While much research has been conducted on both Special Education and Total Quality Education, this study reports findings of the application of Total Quality Education to a Special Education (SPED) program.;Findings are reported from a 5-year application of the principles of TQE to a SPED program in a unified school district of 10,000 students. The research data of this study evolved from three focus group interviews, each group reflecting representatives of the special education team. Focus group members were asked to discuss the elements of TQE that influence the quality of special education in the school district.;The findings of this study identified critical elements of a Total Quality Special Education program and aligned with both Deming's 14 Points of Total Quality Management and Schmoker and Wilson's 14 Points of Total Quality Education and added components for parent participation and collaborative partnerships with General Education.;The study concludes with the following implications for SPED administrators: (1) participant identification and evaluation of departmental goals, (2) development of institutionalized and effective communication, (3) development of partnerships within education system and community, (4) identify and address the needs of parents both as consumers and products of the educational system, and (5) SPED leadership must both espouse and demonstrate commitment to TQE Special Education.