EDL 653- Special Education Law (3 credits)
Syllabus of Record
Prerequisites:
None
Catalog Description: Federal and state laws governing the administration of special
education programs and services will be discussed in detail. Candidates will examine the
impact and application of the laws, and strategies for complying with them in the P-12
setting.
The COE Conceptual Framework
Mission: “Teaching, Leading and Learning in a Democratic Society”
The College of Education prepares candidates who enhance the individual growth of their
students while working to establish policies and practices that promote the principles of
democratic education. The College articulates this mission as Teaching, Leading, and
Learning in a Democratic Society.
Values: “Expertise, Equity, Liberal Education, Social Responsibility
The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our
interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide
our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of
candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we
serve.
Philosophy: Student Potential, Ethical Implications
Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of
individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the
academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical
implications of educational policies and practices.
Common Program Standards:
This course supports the competencies required by the Michigan Administrative Rules for
Special Education for approval as a Supervisor and Director of Special Education, and the
professional standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), a
constituent member of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Specialty Program Standards (CEC):
Standard 1: Leadership and Policy
ACC1K4
National and state education laws and regulations
ACC1K5
Current legal, regulatory, and ethical issues affecting education
SA1K2
Historical and social significance of the laws, regulations, and policies as they
apply to the administration of programs and the provision of services for
individuals with exceptional learning needs and their families
ACC1S1
Promote a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive
environment
ACC1S3
Advocate for educational policy within the context of evidence-based practices
SA1S1
Interprets and applies current laws, regulations, and policies as they apply to
the administration of services to individuals with exceptional learning needs
and their families
Standard 4: Individual and Program Evaluation
ACC4S3
Advocate for evidence-based practices in assessment
Standard 5: Professional Development and Ethical Practice
ACC5K1
Legal rights and responsibilities of individuals with exceptional learning needs,
staff, and parents/guardians
ACC5K3
Human rights of individuals with exceptional learning needs and their families
SA5K5
Principles of representative governance that support the system of special
education administration
ACC5S3
Use ethical and legal discipline strategies
Standard 6: Collaboration
ACC6S2
Apply strategies to resolve conflict and build consensus
SA6K3
Importance and relevance of advocacy at the local, state, and national level
for individuals with exceptional learning needs and their families
SA6S7
Engages in leadership practices that support shared decision making
Objectives:
At the end of the course, the candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in
the following areas:
- Identification of legal problems associated with providing educational services to students
with disabilities
- Evaluation of the ethical and legal issues related to individual student programming
- Comparison and contrasting of individual needs in light of federal regulations and state
rules
-Identification of compliance issues
-Provision of competent responses to general parental inquiries
-Collaboration at, and contribution to, effectively executed Individualized Education Program
meetings according to federal and state standards
- Implementation of strategies to avoid disputes
Major Topics:
Legal Systems and History of the IDEA
Core Concepts from the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and federal regulations:
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Evaluations and Identification
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development and Review
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Student Discipline
Dispute Resolution
Non-public Schools
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 1983
Methods of Evaluation:
60%- Legal Position Paper (Key Assessment)
25%- Small group project
15%- Participation and in class assignments
Suggested Text:
Coursepack