Legal and Political Issues in Special Education

This set of flashcards covers key legal concepts and landmark cases in special education as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is Special Education as defined by IDEA?

Specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.

What is the significance of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

It ruled that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal, laying groundwork for educational rights for students with disabilities.

What does SDI stand for in special education?

Specially Designed Instruction, tailored to the unique learning needs of a student with a disability.

What are the primary sources of law that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities?

Constitutional Laws, Statutes, Regulations, and Common or Case Law.

What does FAPE stand for in the context of special education?

Free and Appropriate Public Education.

What major law established the right to public education for students with disabilities?

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

What is the relationship between Section 504 and IDEA?

Section 504 is an antidiscrimination provision that protects individuals from disability discrimination, while IDEA focuses on the right to special education services.

What was established by the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Pennsylvania case?

It confirmed that students with disabilities have a right to public education, not a privilege.

What is the purpose of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015?

To replace NCLB, shifting control to states, ensuring accountability, and closing achievement gaps.

What is the primary focus of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)?

To enforce federal civil rights protections in education.