The purpose of this study was to examine the various contextual factors that influence the instructional decisions made by the resource specialist and how that guides planning for instruction. In 1990 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was enacted to protect students with disabilities. The law mandated learning disabled students receive Free Appropriate Public Education (F.A.P.E.). Various types of special education settings have been established in public schools, based on student need in order to support an appropriate education
