18108. CHANGING VIEWS ON SPECIAL EDUCATION. This paper discusses how societal attitudes toward special education are changing over time, and addresses the roles of legislation and litigation in bringing about this change. The idea that special needs children deserve equal educational opportunities is becoming increasingly accepted. There have been challenges in the effort to attain this ideal in America's education system, but the evidence shows that progress is gradually being made. KEYWORDS: special education societal attitudes laws court cases. Written 2006. APA Style. 9 pages, 16 footnotes, 5 bibliographic sources. 2,157 words.