Teachers and parents often find special education law complex and confusing. As one step for a basic foundation in special education law, a previous "TEACHING Exceptional Children" article (Zirkel, 2005) provided a snapshot of the "top five case concepts" based on 10 decisions from the Supreme Court. Each of these decisions…

As any parent of a child with autism knows, your life changes and you take on new roles after your child receives a diagnosis of autism. Ready or not, you are now expected to be an expert on interventions, support professionals, and special education. Suddenly, your concerns and worries are different from the parents around you. While they may be…

Intended for parents, the manual discusses in detail the education of handicapped children, with a focus on the state of Texas. Section 1 provides basic information and covers such aspects as basic laws and regulations--including the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142), case law, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of…

Discusses the three major developments in the revised Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): general-education teachers participating in individualized education programs, school flexibility in disciplining special-needs students, and emphasis on integrating special-education students into general education. (JOW)

This paper takes a brief look at how several courts have interpreted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, generally known as Public Law 94-142, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, generally referred to as Section 504. The questions under consideration include the right of an individual to sue under 94-142 and 504; the definition of the…

Provides an overview of issues and practice associated with the integration of handicapped students into regular education settings. Emphasizes the differences between mainstreaming and federally mandated provision of educational services in the "least restrictive environment." Discusses the changing roles of elementary school teachers…

Eleven brief articles focus on specific learning disabilities with emphasis on programs in New York State and City. Articles have the following titles and authors: "The History of Learning Disabilities Revisited" (J. Wiederholt, G. Hale); "The Learning in Learning Disability--Ask What, Not Why" (R. Schworm) which stresses the…

The framework for dealing with the educational rights of handicapped students has been established in the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, generally known as Public Law 94-142, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, generally referred to as Section 504. The ramifications for implementing these laws are complex and generally result in…

This ERIC digest provides highlights of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (P.L. 105-17). Changes to general provisions of the law are explained, as well as changes in other areas, such as outcomes and standards, evaluations and curriculum, procedural safeguards, discipline, early intervention, and teacher training…

A panel of four education experts selected the 15 most important court cases of 1990 in the field of special education, based on review of approximately 100 reported decisions. The cases deal with attorney's fees, the need to exhaust administrative remedies before taking discipline cases to court, least restrictive environment, reimbursement for…

A special-education paradigm looks at students as individuals, substantially involves parents, documents individual student's needs and achievement, and operates under judicial oversight. Regular education is premised upon group learning and instruction, political rather than legal accountability, and a local or statewide power source. (84…

This volume of Colorado special education administrative decisions contains all Impartial Hearing Officer Decisions, State Level Review Decisions, and Complaint Findings issued since 1988. The full text of each decision or finding is preceded by a case summary which includes a listing of key topics, a statement of the issues, the decision, and…

The reauthorization of IDEA, which is now Public Law 108-446, was signed into law by President Bush on December 3, 2004. This article discusses background issues and some of the consequences of this new law for children with learning disabilities. For the first time in a reauthorization of IDEA, the rights of parents and students have been…

A reference work that presents a chronology focusing on special education, its development, and the important issues that both positively and negatively affect the field. Updated through current events, this second edition provides an excellent introduction to special education in all of its practical aspects--how it developed, its curriculum,…

This document contains all Impartial Hearing Officer Decisions, State Level Review Decisions, and Complaint Findings issued in Colorado in 1993 and is intended as a resource tool for assuring the provision of a free appropriate public education to children with disabilities. The full text of each decision or finding is preceded by a case summary…