Tremendous changes have occurred over the past decade in the provision of services to students with disabilities. Federal mandates continue to define requirements for a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of lawsuits filed against school districts regarding the provision of educational services for students with disabilities. Case studies are a helpful way to understand these difficult issues. The case studies presented here are actual students eligible for special education and related services. The case studies are represented not to tell districts and parents that this is the only way questions about special education law can be answered, but to provide likely answers along with commentary for analysis. The cases were developed to help new (and experienced) special education leaders and supervisors survive the pressures of working with students with disabilities while working to provide appropriate services and prevent litigation.
Special education law and practice have undergone profound transformation over the past 50 years. Students with disabilities are now more likely to receive a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment possible; however, the ideals of the law have not always been manifested in effective practice. Although special education services are vastly better today than they were in the early years of public education, current policies and practices continue to result in the under-education of many children with disabilities. This book illustrates key failures of the system within the context of real children’s experiences. The case study approach gives voice to the students, families, and educators who have been let down by the special education process. The goal is to shed light on the flaws and injustices of the status quo. After identifying these problems, the authors offer sound solutions. Section 1 is devoted to issues surrounding identification of students with learning disabilities. These topics include occurrence of inconsistencies in assessment and diagnoses, understanding the struggles of the “slow learner,” and the interference of behavioral challenges with students’ educational performance. Section 2 addresses problems within the evaluation process that negatively influence diagnoses. Discussions include disproportionate representation of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds as well as students of color and bilingual students. Section 3 highlights significant concerns with service provision within the special education realm. The narratives throughout the book present stories of children on the receiving end of a severely fractured special education system. Recommendations focus on solving specific problems, such as inconsistent identification processes and categories, disproportionate representation, ill-conceived IEPs, ineffective specially designed instruction, and poorly implemented RTI programs. The book’s methodological approach affirms that there is much room for reform within both the special education system and the public education system as a whole. This book will be an excellent resource for graduate-level students, practitioners, and teachers in the fields of special education, disability studies, early intervention, school psychology, and child and family services. Additionally, it will be of interest to social workers, counselors, and researchers.
This text is designed to provide students with real-life case studies that address important issues within the IDEA and NCLB legislations. Students will see both best practice and less than best practice when they read the cases. It is specifically designed for graduate students who are taking a course in special education law and/or administration. Case Studies in Special Education Law is intended to provide supplemental instruction using real-life cases while studying the law.
Special Education Law, Fifth Edition provides a comprehensive, and student-friendly overview of the major federal laws—and judicial interpretations of those laws—that apply to the education of children with special needs. Laura Rothstein and Scott F. Johnson thoroughly present the most up-to-date information on special education statutes, regulations, and judicial interpretations, including substantial changes in the interpretation of the legistlation. The text helps students understand what the law requires so that they can develop policies and make decisions that comply with these laws.
For every course in Special Education Law and Education Law, or as a perfect supplement to any Educational Administration course, Legal Aspects of Special Education was written by a practitioner to help teachers, administrators, and advocates understand special education law in everyday language- without excessive legalese or extraneous case law. Different in many ways from other special education law texts on the market, all of the elements of this text are intended to help its students obtain the most critical information about special education law and how it is applied in the real world. Some unique features include: a fascinating opening interview and then epilogue with Joe Ballard, a pioneer of the IDEA movement; a discussion of Response-to-Intervention (RTI) and the implication of IDEA 2004 for school districts; and a discussion of the history of special education and its link to the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, the book provides case studies and application questions, critical thinking questions, the most current information on the laws including No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, and a discussion of major trends changing the laws, including that of autism.
A graduate level text covering the lega aspect of special education with emphasis on the following areas: general overview of the three major laws governing special edication (Individuals with Disabilities Act, Part 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act); general overview of court cases; real-life case studies.
In increasing numbers, general education teachers are faced with the task of educating students with disabilities in their classrooms, and many beginning teachers are not prepared for the diverse classroom that awaits them. The cases in this book are written from the viewpoint of general education teachers, with the goal of providing them with the information and tools to improve their ability to approach this task with confidence. As participants process the cases in this book, they will learn to collect and evaluate data, identify important concepts, apply legal requirements, develop hypotheses, and create or defend arguments. Through introductory materials included in each chapter, the major provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are outlined in easy and understandable terms and illuminated through the cases presented. Discussion questions, links to websites, and suggested activities are included in each chapter.
Case Studies for Inclusive Schools, Third Edition is a major revision that provides a stimulating format for understanding a variety of inclusion issues in the schools. The content focuses on problem solving from a collaborative perspective. Teacher education students and teaching professionals can use this excellent text to explore the different attitudes, problems, and situations that arise in the schools. Typical problems associated with integrating disabled students into general education classrooms are highlighted in the 57 case studies. The content of the case study questions in the book reflects current instructional concerns including: * assistive technology * curriculum accessibility * response to intervention * evaluation
Wrightslaw Special Education Legal Developments and Cases 2019 is designed to make it easier for you to stay up-to-date on new cases and developments in special education law.Learn about current and emerging issues in special education law, including:* All decisions in IDEA and Section 504 ADA cases by U.S. Courts of Appeals in 2019* How Courts of Appeals are interpreting the two 2017 decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court* Cases about discrimination in a daycare center, private schools, higher education, discrimination by licensing boards in national testing, damages, higher standards for IEPs and "least restrictive environment"* Tutorial about how to find relevant state and federal cases using your unique search terms
In increasing numbers, general education teachers are faced with the task of educating students with disabilities in their classrooms, and many beginning teachers are not prepared for the diverse classroom that awaits them. The cases in this book are written from the viewpoint of general education teachers, with the goal of providing them with the information and tools to improve their ability to approach this task with confidence. As participants process the cases in this book, they will learn to collect and evaluate data, identify important concepts, apply legal requirements, develop hypotheses, and create or defend arguments. Through introductory materials included in each chapter, the major provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are outlined in easy and understandable terms and illuminated through the cases presented. Discussion questions, links to websites, and suggested activities are included in each chapter.
