Even though paid advocates exist in the field of special education, teacher advocates are important because their work is based on passion and a belief that change is warranted due to their own needs and experiences with students, not merely on the basis that they are being paid to advocate. Education policy in recent years has become more…

When education initiatives set out to help those who have been "historically disadvantaged or historically marginalized," they perfectly describe students with disabilities. Yet too often, these students have been excluded from conversations about equity in education. Congress opened public school doors for millions of children with…

This book presents an in-depth discussion of how human disability and parental advocacy have been constructed in American society, including recommendations for a more authentically inclusive vision of parental advocacy. The authors provide a cultural-historical view of the conflation of racism, classism, and ableism that has left a deeply…

Despite encouraging changes in the expectations of programming for persons with moderate to severe intellectual disability (MSD), data suggest that programs for these individuals are still lacking in several critical areas. Building administrators play a key role in promoting high quality programs for students with MSD within local schools but may…

Since the initiation of PL 94-142 enacted by the United States Congress in 1975, special education has been mandated, funded and regulated by the federal government. There have been both benefits and drawbacks to this initiative. In positive terms and most importantly, children who require different educational services are identified, and…

Education experts and political leaders frequently agree that in spite of many changes, American schools continue to remain in need of reforms that will expand the circle of opportunity for all children. Few such leaders, however, recognize young people themselves as a critical leadership constituency in effecting the needed reforms. Special…

In this article, the authors present a call to advocacy for an underserved population. Twice-exceptional students are an important sub-population that has historically been neglected. We examine the historical context of twice-exceptionality and evaluate the relevance of current ethical codes with regard to these students. We also review some of…

This article reviews personality assessment of students with severe emotional disorders (SED) as mandated by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA). The EHA definition of SED, assessment strategies required by EHA guidelines, functional Individualized Education Plans, and the role of the school psychologist in the process are…

This article discusses applications of education legislation for drug-addicted children, including the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which recognizes smoking and drug addiction as handicapping conditions. Suggested guidelines for parents seeking school support services under these laws…

The information packet focuses on the role of the surrogate parent with emphasis on the rights of the handicapped child as mandated by P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Included are the following: a discussion of 10 surrogate parent issues identified through a literature search and survey of five states (Connecticut,…

The author offers an analysis of the Rowley decision in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142) does not require the provision of a sign language interpreter. (SW)

Special education's progress was shaped by establishment of the Cuyahoga County Ohio Council for the Retarded Child (1933); the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975), "Brown v. Board of Education" (1954); "Sacramento City Unified School District v. Rachel H." (1994); coinage of "learning disabilities"…

One of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Education of the Handicapped Act is the right to an impartial due process hearing. Such hearings are often difficult and emotionally draining experiences. They need not be so difficult, however, because proper and sensitive preparation for a hearing can minimize its negative emotional impact. This…

Intended for parents, the guide defines what is meant by an "exceptional" child, considers the educational opportunities open to the exceptional student, and offers suggestions on how parents can ensure that their child receives those opportunities. Sections provide the following information: definitions of various exceptionalities…

The report considers state and federal policy issues regarding parent surrogates for handicapped children as mandated by P. L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Clarification about the limited advocacy role of the parent surrogate is given. The first chapter looks at identification of students who need surrogate parents:…