Enhancing Learning Environments through Solution-Based Knowledge Discovery Tools: Forecasting for Self-perpetuating Systemic Reform

The rapid growth of databases in many disciplines has overwhelmed the traditional, interactive approaches to data analysis and created a new generation of tools critical to intelligent and automated data discovery. Education researchers are beginning to investigate using these data mining techniques for applying knowledge-discovery principles and data mining in the field of special education. For special educators, data mining and knowledge discovery have great promise for providing anticipatory guidance in teaching and learning in the development of models critical for promoting student achievement. This monograph explores how knowledge-discovery applications can empower educators with the information they need to (a) provide anticipatory guidance for teaching and learning, (b) forecast school and district needs, and (c) find critical markers for making the best program decisions for children and youth with disabilities.