Tom Hehir

Tom Hehir is a professor of practice in the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He served as director of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs from 1993 to 1999.  As director, he was responsible for federal leadership in implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Tom played a leading role in developing the Clinton administration's proposal for the 1997 reauthorization of the IDEA, 90 percent of which was adopted by Congress.  In 1990, he was associate superintendent for the Chicago Public Schools, where he was responsible for special education services and student support services.  In this role, Tom implemented major changes in the special education service delivery system, which enabled Chicago to reach significantly higher levels of compliance with the IDEA and resulted in the eventual removal of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights as overseer.  Tom served in a variety of positions in the Boston Public Schools from 1978 to 1987, including that of director of special education from 1983 to 1987. An advocate for children with disabilities in the education system, he has written on special education, special education in the reform movement, due process, and least restrictive environment issues.