For this 23rd article in the series reviewing recent court decisions concerning appropriate school psychology practice from both professional and legal perspectives, the topic is the substantive standard for free appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), with a focus on the classification of…

This discussion paper has been produced by Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), on behalf of all state and territory governments and the Australian Government, to inform the "2020 Review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005." This paper asks providers of early childhood education and care (ECEC)…

Engaging in physical activity is important for school-age children, as it promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. However, barriers to participation in physical education and athletics often prevent students with disabilities from engaging in these important activities. There are several legal precedents that should be considered as schools seek…

The purpose of this brief is to help families and educators understand the right of students with disabilities who need accessible educational materials to receive these materials in a timely manner. This right is based on provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as in the disability civil rights statutes…

In this supplemental fact sheet, the Department of Education (the Department) reminds educators in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic that they should not opt to close or decline to provide distance instruction, at the expense of students, to address matters pertaining to services for students with disabilities. Rather, school systems must make…

As someone charged with ensuring equality in the school environment, teachers have heard the term "inclusion"--the principle that students with special needs, skill sets, and abilities should be integrated in publicly supported activities to the same extent as their nondisabled peers. However, the word inclusion--in and of itself--does…

Bringing service animals into schools raises serious questions about how to meet one student's special needs while ensuring the educational well-being of all. This article discusses how schools grapple with the practical and legal questions involved in allowing service dogs on campus. The author cites a case in 2009 called "Kalbfleisch v. Columbia…

The Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) does the following: (1) Clarifies the relationship between bullying and discriminatory harassment under the civil rights laws enforced by the Department of Education's (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR); (2) Explains how student misconduct that falls under an anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities…

In recent years, many state departments of education and local school districts have taken steps to reduce bullying in schools. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) fully supports these efforts. Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create…

Students identified with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) present a special case within special educational needs (SEN) and inclusion. EBD is perhaps the only category of SEN that exposes a child to increased risk of exclusion as a function of the very SEN identified as requiring special provision in the first instance. Students…

College students who say they have learning disabilities sometimes encounter skepticism. Although requests for extra testing time, adjusted academic requirements, or exemptions are often granted, there is debate in the academic community over the need. The numbers of students claiming such disabilities have increased substantially in recent years.…

In May 1993, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) set a new national agenda to provide meaningful access to education for all students. To elaborate on OCR actions prior to this initiative, the department's civil rights activities from October 1, 1991, to September 30, 1992, are presented here. The report is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1,…

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforces the laws that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, sex, disability, and age in America's schools, colleges, and universities. To gauge how the department is fulfilling that mission, a description of the OCR's policy-guidance efforts, complaint investigations, and enforcement…

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforces the laws that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, sex, disability, and age in America's schools, colleges, and universities. To gauge how the department is fulfilling that mission, a description of the OCR's policy-guidance efforts, complaint investigations, and enforcement…

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces the laws that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, sex, disability, and age in America's schools, colleges, and universities. To gauge how the department is fulfilling that mission, a description of the OCR's policy-guidance efforts, complaint investigations, and enforcement…