School choice is a common sense idea that gives all parents the power and freedom to choose their child's education, while encouraging healthy competition among schools and other institutions to better serve students' needs and priorities. It is a public policy that allows a parent/guardian or student to choose a district, charter, or private…

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Vermont Department of Education's Special Education Regulations, parents have specific rights concerning their participation in the special education process. The purpose of this booklet is to inform parents of those rights and to provide them with a list of resources to…

Here is a book to serve educators from all types of schools in either pre-service or professional development that is designed as a text for master's and licensure (post-master's) level. This book covers all the relevant issues in school law: (1) The legal system; (2) The federal and state role in education; (3) Church-state relationships; (4)…

The Hawai'i State Assessment is an annual testing program that measures student progress on Hawai'i's reading, writing, and mathematics standards. This handbook provides all Department of Education personnel at the school, complex area, and state levels with information about participation in the Hawai'i State Reading and Mathematics Assessment…

This paper examines issues related to the provision of special education services by public schools to students in private, parochial, or home school settings and offers guidelines for local education agencies. First, the paper reviews federal statutory and regulatory obligations, particularly those under the Individuals with Disabilities…

This booklet is designed to offer preschool staff who are working with children with special needs a process for supporting children and families through the transition to kindergarten. It begins by discussing the teachers role as a partner to parents of children with disabilities. A timeline is then presented for planning a child's transition to…

Formatted in a question-and-answer style, this book is intended to provide a survey and overview of the federal law governing the placement of students with disabilities. It explores the procedural and substantive requirements of the placement process and addresses the most common concerns that arise in this area of special education law. The…

This manual represents a revised version of the original 1999 Idaho Special Education Manual which is a set of guidelines to assist Idaho school districts in carrying out the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997 and its implementing regulations, which were published on March 12, 1999. Additions to…