Special education differs for a wide range of students. One potential topic for a specific type of problem that requires special education might be methods of teaching autistic children or methods of teaching the physically handicapped for full participation. This type of research paper does not generalize special education and instead uses one particular area of special education.
Students who are part of a school's special-education program might also end up part of an inclusion program where they are placed in regular classes. The teacher must adapt the classroom teaching methods around these students. Using the topic of inclusion can bring up laws, teaching methods and even discrimination issues.
There are several laws that help protect students in a special-education program. Laws differ by state, but all states have laws designed to prevent discrimination. The types of laws that might arise during research include individualized education programs (IEPs), discrimination laws, and laws regarding the right to public education even with disabilities.
Early intervention is an important part of providing education to students with special-educational needs. For a research paper, finding out about early intervention programs and ways to handle special education from the beginning can result in a well thought-out paper. The topic can bring up methods of determining special-education needs early in life, the types of intervention that might take place, and methods of intervention.