Alumna Mary Lynn Boscardin Ph.D. '84 EOL, a department chair and professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has recently published a new book titled Handbook of Leadership and Administration for Special Education.

“This book brings together for the first time research informing leadership practice in special education from preschool through transition into post-secondary settings.” Boscardin said. “It provides comprehensive coverage of disability policy, leadership knowledge, school reform, and effective educational leadership practices.”

This collaborative effort was accomplished with the help of two other professors: Jean B. Crockett from the University of Florida and Bonnie Billingsley from Virginia Tech. While previous textbooks of a similar topic have treated these leadership areas as separate, Boscardin sought another purpose for the book.

“This is the first book to integrate the knowledge and research bases of special education and educational leadership as both these fields impact school improvement and the performance of students with disabilities,” Boscardin said.