This Brief contains a scan of the interim assessment landscape, and is focused on the availability of documentation supporting the appropriateness of these assessments for students with disabilities. The purpose of this Brief is to advise the development of guidance that facilitates improved practices related to the use of interim assessments for…

This edition of "Equity Dispatch" poses the question: what is the responsibility of state education agencies (SEAs) to support local education agencies (LEAs) in centering educational equity? Here, we focus on the impact of SEAs, aiming to illuminate the ethical necessity of concurrent, coordinated, equity-focused efforts within and…

Representing a sequel to a similar case law snapshot in mid-2010, this article provides an updated overview of the judicial and administrative case law concerning students with traumatic and nontraumatic brain injury in the P-12 school context. The scope is limited to cases under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the pair of…

The debate over school vouchers continues as more states offer government dollars to fund private schooling for students as a method of improving choice and quality in K-12 education. Previous research in the charter school sector has found that special education enrollment discrepancies between charters and traditional public schools is likely…

Since the mid-1970s, with the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ("Sec. 504"), special education became highly legalized. Although it is universally agreed that the best way to avoid and resolve disputes is through informal communication and cooperation between…

This "Informed Educator" provides a snapshot of the current state of virtual education at the elementary and secondary levels. A number of critical factors are addressed, including: (1) the types of online courses and schools now available; (2) virtual program providers-- institutional, school, district, state, consortia and private…

The National Research Center on Learning Disabilities produced this guide to assist state education agencies in working through the many issues associated with developing specific learning disability (SLD) identification policies and procedures. An introductory section describes current understanding of the issues surrounding SLD identification,…

In the early 1990's, charter schools were a new concept being implemented by a few states and communities across the country. Today there are over 3,000 charter schools operating in 40 states and the District of Columbia. The growth of charter schools has compelled that we understand what charter schools are and how they impact responsibilities…

Charter schools must abide by federal special education laws and regulations because they are part of the public education system. However, the way this gets carried out in practice differs widely due to many factors, the most important of which are a charter school's "legal identity" and its "linkage" to a traditional LEA for…

The academic department chair has a pivotal role in the administration of special accommodations provided to students under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Department chairs may interact with all levels of the institution, and the interaction among chairs, the Equal…

This set of primers for charter school authorizers; charter school operators and state-level administrators has been developed to provide background information and resources for the "builders" of charter schools and policymakers to facilitate the successful inclusion of students with disabilities in charter schools. The primers open…

Within the United States, public schools are required to meet the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) standards mandated by federal law. Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) are challenged to interpret information presented by students for eligibility documentation in light of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.…