The "Declaration of Independence" guarantees Americans the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, these rights have not been uniformly available to all citizens. Individuals with disabilities, for example, have received unequal treatment and have been victims of both intentional and unintentional discrimination. This book reviews issues in special educational law and describes the legal responsibilities of schools in relation to students with disabilities. Chapter 1 describes changes in laws offering broad-based protection to students with disabilities. The second chapter describes concerns related to the provision of a free appropriate education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for all eligible children with disabilities. Chapter 3 discusses issues of related services, some of which include: transportation; medical, health, and psychological services; assistive technology devices and services; sign-language interpreter; speech, language, physical, and occupational therapy; providing services in private religious schools; and third-party liability. The fourth chapter identifies selected diseases contracted by school children and discusses their implications. Chapters 5 through 9 outline guidelines for student records, discipline, minimum competency testing, sport participation, and child abuse. Appendices contain a table of 1995 federal circuit courts and a table of Supreme Court appointments (1965-95). Eight tables, a table of cases and an index are included. (LMI)