Margaret J. McLaughlin is associate dean for research and education and a professor in the department of special education at the University of Maryland.She is the author of several books and numerous book chapters and articles on educational reform policy and students with disabilities. Dr. McLaughlin's research focuses on special education policy, including investigation of the impact of education reform on students with disabilities and special education programs. She also directs the doctoral program in special education policy leadership development as well as a doctoral program focused on the use of large-scale data to conduct policy research.Dr. McLaughlin is an expert not only in domestic special education policy and students with disabilities but also in international education policy. She has consulted in the United States and overseas to help develop programs and policies that would include students with disabilities in general education programs. Before coming to Maryland, she was the executive director of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. As a teacher, she taught children with emotional disturbance and learning disabilities.Dr. McLaughlin is the coauthor of The School Leader's Guide to Special Education. her work can be further explored at solution-tree.com