BROWARD COUNTY PRINCIPALS' AND EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE PROBLEMS IN COMPLYING WITH PUBLIC LAW 94-142 (MAINSTREAMING, HANDICAPPED, LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT; FLORIDA)

Problem. The purpose of this study was to assess principals and exceptional education teachers of Broward County, Florida, as to their perceptions of the problems in complying with Public Law 94-142. Also of interest was the comparison of the four sets of perceptions that were investigated. Findings. (1) More statistical disagreement than agreement was found among principals and exceptional education teachers in regard to their self perceptions and perceptions of the other group; (2) Principals perceived the following items "difficult" for themselves: (a) evaluating students as soon as possible after referral; (b) providing individual evaluations by a multidisciplinary team; (c) conducting IEP meetings at a time convenient to parents; (3) Exceptional education teachers perceived the following items difficult for themselves: (a) evaluating students as soon as possible after referral; (b) conducting IEP meetings at a time convenient to parents; (4) Principals perceived "lack of funds" as being their biggest obstacle in successfully implementing Public Law 94-142; (5) Exceptional education teachers perceived "class size" to be their biggest obstacle in successfully implementing Public Law 94-142