The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) is a piece of federal legislation that directs schools and districts to provide students with disabilities a "free appropriate public education." It contains numerous legal tools that parents can use to compel schools to develop appropriate educational programming for their…

This article provides a concise and objective synthesis of the federal legislation, regulations, and agency policy interpretations; state laws; and case law, including hearing officer and complaint investigation decisions, concerning specific learning disability (SLD) identification since the 2006 IDEA regulations. The results reveal wide latitude…

This paper aims to present the role, values, and legal policy issues facing public Library resources in supporting students to achieve academic success. Research indicates that majority of people that own or work in the Library tend to ignore some of the vital roles, values and legal policy issues paramount to libraries. Some of these issues are…

The third edition of the National Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Neglected or Delinquent Children and Youth's (NDTAC's) "Transition Toolkit" provides updated information on existing policies, practices, strategies, and resources for transition that build on field experience and research. The "Toolkit" offers…

The "Brown v. Board of Education" (1954) Supreme Court decision ruled that segregated schools were unequal and unconstitutional. Since Brown's ruling, scholars have questioned whether African American children have benefitted from school desegregation and subsequent school reform initiatives. In spite of several post-Brown school reform…

Public school districts must determine which students are eligible to receive special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This study, which involves 39 interviews with speech-language pathologists and school administrators, examines how eligibility recommendations are made for one widely…

Since the turn of the century, U.S. education policies have focused on accountability and student progress. Two major pieces of federal legislation--No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004)--pose several legal issues that educators must contemplate as they strive to be…

The article provides an overview of legal and administrative demands of special education policy at state and local levels. The legal context in which special education occurs is discussed, along with a suggested approach to analyzing existing special education policy, identifying policy needs, and developing new policies. (CL)

The author distinguishes between corporal punishment and bodily contact or corporal communication in special education. Policies are suggested which make available needed stimulation and negative reinforcement but guard against abuse. (CL)

The issue of special needs and the English Language Learner is a complex and complicated one. It involves all of the issues that education for children with special needs has, such as legal issues, psychological issues, parental involvement issues, and the involvement of general education classroom teachers. These issues are intertwined with those…

The purpose of this document is to provide charter school authorizers with targeted technical assistance related to special education in charter schools. Charter school laws are unique to each state, and they provide a wide range of policies and practices for the hundred of authorizers chartering schools nationally. As a result, providing…

The manual provides an overview of issues associated with policies and practices in behavior management techniques. Legal, ethical, and programmatic issues are addressed in the first chapter which reviews pertinent court cases and focuses on the implications of punishment for behavior change. Section 2 contains suggestions for developing,…

This article examines legal issues involved in the assessment of educational results for students with disabilities, especially requirements under the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It suggests that policies regarding assessment of students with disabilities may have outpaced practices and legal interpretations…

Analyzes the unique legal and policy issues concerning special education and intradistrict school choice. Describes the methodology for examining intradistrict parental-choice programs of five major cities and appraises their compliance with current legal requirements. Choice programs combining a child-centered approach with consideration of…

Offers as brief overview of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), intended to protect disabled individuals against discriminatory practices in employment. Discusses implications for educators of three Supreme Court decisions dealing with the ADA, and offers 10 guidelines to ensure that the intent of the ADA statute is followed by school…