Academic outcomes for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are poor. Unfortunately, insufficient attention is paid in research and textbooks to academic difficulties and students with EBD. The purpose of this special issue is to review research-based strategies and interventions for teaching children and youth with EBD. In the…

This textbook provides information on the legal development of special education, the current legal requirements in providing a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities, and the procedures involved in obtaining legal information in law libraries and on the Internet. Specifically, the 16 chapters address: (1) sources of law…

Seclusion timeout and physical restraint are aversive procedures designed to reduce or eliminate students' serious problem behavior. Using these procedures with students in special education has become commonplace in the last decade. Nevertheless, both seclusion timeout and physical restraint procedures have been, and continue to be, quite…

Federal statutes, regulations, and major least-restrictive-environment cases provide numerous consistent principles that schools must adhere to in promoting inclusive educational practices. There are four major themes: consideration of an individual student's unique needs, presumptive right to an integrated education, educational appropriateness,…

This paper responds to a commentary (EC 600 331) on a previously published paper (EC 221 141) discussing the Supreme Court's decision in the Honig v Doe case and its impact on suspension and expulsion of students with handicaps and on student placement. The paper responds to arguments presented in the commentary and notes misconceptions about the…

Discussion of Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements first examines relationships between the IEP and a free, appropriate public education; then highlights the procedural changes and new requirements mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. Results of due process hearings and court cases and…

This article explicates the current legislation, case law, and administrative law governing the discipline of students with disabilities. Guidelines are offered that divide disciplinary procedures into three categories: permitted, controlled, and prohibited. The role of the Individualized Education Program team in planning proactive disciplinary…

This article examines the issue of student-on-student sexual harassment in legislation and litigation to determine the effects of the law on school districts. School districts are urged to fashion a student-on-student sexual harassment policy, provide inservice training, investigate complaints of harassment, and take action to resolve sexual…

In 1999 the Supreme Court reaffirmed the responsibility of school districts to provide all necessary health services to students with disabilities as long as those services do not have to be provided by a physician. Analysis focuses on related rulings, facts of the case, related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and…

This article examines the legal requirements of assessing students with disabilities, especially students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). It reviews assessment legislation and litigation in special education and explains specific requirements for assessing students with EBD. The article also examines school districts' obligations…

This article addresses issues of confidentiality and the management of student records as affected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy act (FERPA). It identifies violations of FERPA and relates FERPA to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (DB)

Two federal laws have been extremely important in providing rules and regulations to guide the educational placement of students with disabilities. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) created a detailed set of guidelines to ensure an appropriate education in the least restrictive setting for students who are eligible for special…

This paper reviews the 45 due process hearings and court cases between 1993 and 1998 concerning parental requests for school districts to provide and/or fund the Lovaas treatment program for their young children with autism. It reviews previous legislative and legal definitions of a free appropriate public education and considers implications of…

The article explicates the rights and responsibilities of special educators and administrators in the suspension and expulsion of handicapped students from school. In addition to a discussion of Honig versus Doe, the article presents the common law principles that have been developed in federal litigation. (JDD)