Aimed at parents of and advocates for special needs children, explains how to develop a relationship with a school, monitor a child's progress, understand relevant legislation, and document correspondence and conversations.

Clear, well organized presentation of IDEA and other pertinent federal laws, together with well organized discussion of relevant cases, help educators understand and apply their knowledge in concrete situations. The emphasis of this practical book is on increasing understanding at a conceptual level rather than rote memorization of detailed provisions of the IDEA and other laws. By understanding the law, educators will be better equipped to work with future amendments of IDEA and with new laws that may be enacted by Congress. They will also have an increased ability to apply statutory provisions to specific situations. Part I - Constitutional Framework: provides important background in understanding the authority that Congress has to enact laws that impact on education in the United States and the authority that the courts have to interpret laws. Includes discussion of the judicial system, the key provisions of the United States Constitution, due process, equal protection, the statutes of certain regulations, and a brief overview and comparison of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act (RA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Part II - IDEA: covers background, basic language and coverage, duty to evaluate, FAPE, IEP, placement, related services, inclusions/least restrictive environment, private school, discipline, mediation, due process, and court proceedings. Sample forms are included to supplement discussion with concrete examples to aid understanding. Part III - RA and ADA: covers RA/ADA basics, such as who is an individual with a disability, what entities are covered, enforcement provisions, and application to schools, universities, and employers. Part IV - Other Legal Issues: covers No Child Left Behind, FERPA, tort liability, and high stakes testing issues. At the end of each part there is a very basic question and answer section to assist the student in focusing on major points in each part.

[This text] teaches you how to use the law as your sword and your shield. Learn what the law says about: Child's right to a free, appropriate education (FAPE); Individual education programs, IEP teams, transition and progress; Evaluations, reevaluations, consent and independent educational evaluations; Eligibility and placement decisions; Least restrictive environment, mainstreaming, and inclusion; Research based instruction, discrepancy formulas and response to intervention; Discipline, suspensions, and expulsions; Safeguards, mediation, confidentiality, new procedures and timelines for due process hearings.--Back cover.

"Never again settle for guessing what a term means or how it applies to serving students with disabilities. The just-updated Special Education Dictionary puts straightforward definitions of more than 1,400 terms at your fingertips, including new must-know entries from the ADA Amendments Act, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and IDEA Part C regulations. Whether it's bullying, prior written notice, physical restraint, or even miniature horse, straight-to-the-point explanations ensure you know how to use even the confusing special education terms as you strive to meet students' educational needs and your district's legal requirements. What's more, many new and previous definitions are now supported by examples of how they were referenced in court decisions - to enhance your understanding and guide you in applying the terms correctly in meetings, writing reports, and communicating with parents."--Publisher's website

2016 was a remarkable year in special education law! Wrightslaw: Special Education Legal Developments and Cases 2016 is designed to make it easier for you to stay up-to-date on new cases and legal developments. You'll learn about emerging issues and trends in special education law, including: *All decisions in IDEA cases by Courts of Appeals in 2016 *Four 2016 Cases of the Year and what made these cases unique *Two new special education decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court that will lead to major changes in how the law is implemented *All guidance letters, memos, and publications published by the U.S. Department of Education in 2016 *Discrimination cases initiated and settled by the Department of Justice *School abuse cases brought by the American Civil Liberties Union *Denied! The inside story about how state employees created a secret cap on the number of children with disabilities who could receive special ed services

The Essentials of Special Education Law distills the legal complexities of special education into a practical resource for preparation programs as well as professionals in the field. Written and organized with college students and practicing educators in mind, this book serves as a go-to guide to the historical underpinnings of special education, the six pillars of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), essential court cases that have propelled the field of special education to where it is today, and practical application tips to ensure legal compliance. With 45 years of combined special education legal experience, authors Andrew Markelz and David Bateman present the essential components of special education law like never before.

Legal Method and Writing, Ninth Edition

An essential handbook for educating students in the 21st century, since its initial publication A Principal's Guide to Special Education has provided guidance to school administrators seeking to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The third edition of this invaluable reference, updated in collaboration with and endorsed by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals and incorporating the perspectives of both teachers and principals, addresses such current issues as teacher accountability and evaluation, instructional leadership, collaborative teaching and learning communities, discipline procedures for students with disabilities, and responding to students' special education needs within a standards-based environment.