EDSP 522 Special Education and Disability Law

This course examines the historical, ethical, and legal foundations for the evaluation, identification, and education of students with disabilities, including an overview of federal and state regulations. Included in this course is an overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V, 2018), and the Workforce Innovation Act (2014).

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Knowledge of the current regulations and procedures governing special education is essential for special educators. Special educators must know and advocate for the rights and responsibilities of parents, students, teachers, and schools as they relate to individuals with disabilities and disability issues.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

MAT Core Advising Guide Quiz

The candidate will review the School of Education Advising Guide and complete a brief, multiple-choice quiz.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 classmate’s threads. The reply must be at least 150 words. (CLO: A – E)

IEP and Section 504 Team Meetings Book Summary

After reading the Freedman IEP and Section 504 text, the candidate will complete one book summary. The book summary assignment will include an introduction, conclusion, and a summary on the Christian Perspective (each section should be 150 words in length). The summaries must be formatted according to current APA style and include a title page and reference page. (CLO: A, B)

Article Analysis: Special Education Law Assignment

After reading and reflecting on an article centered on special education and the law, the candidate will discuss the most foundational elements of special education law that professionals in the field need to have knowledge of and the ramifications of ignorance.  (CLO: C, D)

Principles of Special Education Essay Assignment

The candidate will develop a 5–8-page paper discussing the perspectives, theories, principles, philosophies, and/or trends that provide the basis for contemporary education practice. The paper must follow current APA format, include at least 5 references (1 must be the course textbook), and follow the instructions and guidelines provided in the Assignment Instructions folder. The page requirement excludes the title, abstract, and reference pages. (CLO: A)

Presentation: Laws Addressing Individuals with Disabilities and Special Populations Assignment

The candidate will create a comprehensive presentation that

• Compares and contrasts legislative and judicial mandates related to education and special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and federal education legislation (i.e., reauthorizations of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) of 1965), and The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V, 2018), and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (2014).
• Details the rights and responsibilities of parents, students, teachers, and schools as they relate to individuals with special needs and disability issues.

The presentation must address the points above but may be tailored to an audience of the candidate’s choosing (i.e., a secondary student transitioning into post-secondary education or employment, a parent of a child with a disability, or a professional development session for teachers). The candidate will prepare a 20 – 25 slide PowerPoint presentation, include at least 5 sources, and follow current APA format.  (CLO: B, D)

Quizzes (6)

Throughout the course, the candidate will complete quizzes that correspond with the Learn material. All quizzes are open-book/open-notes and contain 10 short-answer questions. The candidate will have 2 hours to complete each quiz.

Quiz: Introduction to Special Education Law, Least Restrictive Environment & Response to Intervention (Chapters 1 – 2)

Quiz: Free Appropriate Public Education and Response to Intervention (Chapters 3 – 4)

Quiz: IDEA for Transition-Age Youth and Disciplining Students with Disabilities (Chapters 5 – 6)

Quiz: The Individualized Education Program, The Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Accountability (Chapters 7 – 8)

Quiz: Early Childhood Education and Bullying Prevention (Chapters 9 – 10)

Quiz: School Mental Health and Preparing General Education Teachers  (Chapters 11 – 12) (CLO: A – D)