An Analysis of the Forum: Issues in Education of the Severely and Profoundly Retarded

Abstract
The May 1979 issue of Exceptional Children presented a three-part forum of issues on the education of severely and profoundly retarded children (Burton & Hirshoren, 1979a, 1979b; Sontag, Certo, & Button, 1979). Different viewpoints were presented, focusing initially on anticipated levels of learning, personnel preparation, and locus of educational services for this population. The authors of the article presented here concluded that apparent errors of fact in the three articles merited an extensive, critical analysis. Here, these errors are identified and discussed. The authors' views are expressed on these and additional topics related to the education and educability of severely and profoundly retarded children.