The originators of special education law anticipated disputes and provided due process hearings as a means to settle the disputes. However, due process proved to be unfair, costly (financially and emotionally), and destructive to school-family relationships. Years later, lawmakers offered mandated mediation along with resolution meetings in…

Parents who are knowledgeable of special education are more likely to engage in their child's education. Parents seek information about special education from a number of sources including State Departments of Education (SDEs). However, little is known about the web-based special education resources SDEs provide to parents. We sought to address…

This article describes a literature search process employed to identify research in Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and special education, organizes some initial search results, briefly summarizes them, and raises important questions for the purpose of generating a future research agenda. The authors hope that this examination of literature…

Recent court decisions and federal legislation which have contributed to conflicts in the delivery of services to emotionally disturbed adolescents are reviewed and possible solutions are examined. The impact of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) are assessed along with such…

Reviews the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in the context of the law's history. Focused on are changes in Individualized Education Program requirements, mediation as a conflict resolution option, discipline of students in special education, and the required review of the relationship between a student's…

This article compares and contrasts provisions for procedural safeguards and due process hearings under 2 sections of Public Law 99-457: Part B, dealing with children ages 3-5, and Part H, dealing with infants and toddlers. Potential problems under Part H are pointed out and suggestions are made for implementing Part H safeguards without conflict.…

The state-of-the-art review of delivery of social services to American Indians living on reservations demonstrates that the basic problem is not whether Indians living on reservations are entitled to receive such services, but which government entity will be financially responsible. Chapters cover: (1) legal status of Indians (roots of conflict);…

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…

This book is designed to provide educators with comprehensive information about special education law, especially the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Chapter 1 briefly reviews the history of special education. In Chapter 2 the specific rights of students to special education and related services are detailed. Chapter 3 outlines…