Course Description
This course will provide students with a history of special education litigation and legislation. Specifically, students will gain a deep understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, the major legislation governing the provision of special education services. Students will become familiar with federal statutes and regulations concerning assessment and evaluation procedures, due process and mediation, discipline, individual education plans (IEPs), free appropriate education (FAPE), and least restrictive environment (LRE).
Course Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Admission into the special education MA program.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Evaluate the sources of law that impact public schools including constitutional provisions, statutory enactments, administrative regulations, and court decisions.
- Evaluate the legal framework governing education at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Analyze various legal principles developed through case studies primarily involving schools and school districts.
- Synthesize the course materials and legal principles and apply to school problems.
- Appraise the legal issues involved in a case study as well as "real world" situations and scenarios.
- Consider and analyze the implications of legislative actions, judicial decisions, and policy mandates for those students who receive special education services and the professionals who provide those services.