Legal and Historical Foundations in Special Education
EEND and MEDU-641

Includes the historical foundations, history of provision of services, major movements, current issues, and philosophical changes in general and special education. State, federal laws, litigation, policies, and administrative practices relevant to education and treatment of individuals with disabilities and their relation to learning and instruction will be examined.

College of Education Mission

The mission of the College of Education is to prepare competent and caring educators who understand students, serve the community and develop professionally to become ethical decision-makers and leaders.

Understanding Students

Understand the forces that influence the development and provision of today’s special educational services for individuals with disabilities.

Serving the Community

Understand how to communicate the legal policies and regulations to parents and educators. Writing on a legal issue and highlighting the practical applications help understand the collaboration involved in special education and serve the community.

Finding Our Professional Selves

Understanding the foundations of special education will help in developing professionally. Papers written on history, legal issue and philosophy will help identify the foundations of special education and clarify own beliefs in special education process.

Access to standards referenced in this section can be found HERE

By the conclusion of the course, each participant will be able to do the following (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and Illinois Professional Teaching Standards (IPTS):

1. Describe historical perspectives, legislative history, models, theories, and philosophies that provide the basis for general and special education practice. (NBPTS 2)
2. Analyze current legislative regulations, policies, litigation, and ethical issues related to the provision of educational services, including: least restrictive environment, free and appropriate education, due process, assessment, discipline, transition, related services and assistive technology, to individuals with all types of disabilities. (NBPTS 2, IPTS 4F, CEC 2, 6)
3. Describe the major provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Education and Privacy Act, the No Child left Behind Act of 2001, and other federal and state laws affecting the education of students with disabilities. (NBPTS 2, IPTS 7N, CEC 6)
4. Identify and explain the major principles of the IDEA. (NBPTS 2, IPTS 8I, 9B, CEC 6)
5. Identify and explain the major litigation leading to the passage of the IDEA. (CEC 6)
6. Discuss and evaluate the major court rulings on the IDEA. (NBPTS 2, IPTS 9F)
7. Explain the rights and responsibilities of parents, students, teachers, and other professionals and schools as they relate to an individual’s learning needs and educational programs. (NBPTS 12, 14; IPTS 8I, 9B, 9F)
8. Critically discuss and evaluate legal trends in special education. (CEC 6)
9. Develop legally sound policies and procedures with respect to special education in accordance with the legislation and litigation. (IPTS 8I, 9B, CEC 6)
10. Locate sources of information regarding legislation and litigation in special education. (CEC 6)
11. Understand and explain issues and trends in special education across the life span, early childhood through adult services. (CEC 6)
12. Examine legal mandates by tracing their historic roots and highlighting their implications in the classroom. (NBPTS 13, IPTS 6E, 9S, 9T, CEC 6)
13. Examine historic roots of disabilities and trends in philosophy, treatment and education. (IPTS 6E, 9S, 9T)

Weekly Class Discussions: Students will be expected to engage in active, professional participation in discussions of legal mandates at federal and state level, case law and its applications. Students will also have case studies to read/discuss/review. Discussion should indicate active participation (see online discussion checklist).

Course Outcomes: 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

Standards: NBPTS 2, 12, 14; IPTS 4, 7, 8, 9; CEC 2, 6

Chapter Quizzes: A multiple choice & true/false test, covering Chapters 1 to 14 in the textbook will be on Canvas. Each quiz can be taken multiple times. The purpose of the quiz is to ensure mastery of the content covered in each chapter. Each quiz requires a passing score of 80% and is worth 5 points each.

Course Outcomes: 3, 8, 10, 11, 13.

Standards: NBPTS 2; IPTS 6, 9; CEC 6

History of a Disability Paper: Research the history of a specific disability (of choice) from the beginning to the present. Develop a timeline using any online software and write a formal reflection paper on the history.

Course Outcomes: 3, 8, 10, 11, 13.

Standards: NBPTS 2; IPTS 6, 9; CEC 6

Legal Research Paper: A synthesis of at least five source articles/reports pertaining to the area of personal inquiry will be completed using the format provided. Synthesis should include an historical perspective for the issue, pertinent federal and state law policy, legal case precedent, and application of the issue at the district, building or classroom level.

Course Outcomes: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

Standards: NBPTS 12, 13, 14; IPTS 6, 8, 9; CEC 6

Applied Project: Candidates will apply their legal knowledge and skills to create a practical training module for administrators or staff or parents (3 options). See options & descriptions online for the applied project.

Course Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9.

Standards: NBPTS 2; IPTS 4, 7, 8, 9; CEC 2, 6.

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Academic integrity requires that all academic work be wholly the product of an identified individual or individuals. Collaboration is only acceptable when it is explicitly acknowledged. Ethical conduct is the obligation of every member of the University community, and breaches of academic integrity constitute serious offenses. Since a lack of integrity hinders the student’s academic development, it cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Violations include but are not limited to: cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and denying others access to information or material. See the University of St. Francis Catalog for further clarification and information on grievance procedures.

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