Disability and Special Education Law
EDUC 649
Fall 2006
Thursdays 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Instructor:
Abraham Sellers
Phone:
373.5455
E-mail:
sellers@theisenbrock.com
Course
Description: An introduction to disability and special education
law. TodayŐs educator, administrator,
or advocate must be familiar with and possess a basic understanding of the vast
regulatory and judicial law that protects persons with disabilities. This course will provide a review of The
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, The American with Disabilities Act (the "ADA"), Free Appropriate
Public Education, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA")
among other laws, including state regulation.
The course will also provide the student with skills necessary to conduct
basic legal research on the Internet and at a public law library.
Application of case law will be reviewed and studied.
Required
Text:
The
Law and Special Education (2006).
Students
will also be provided with handout material.
Technology
Components:
Some
classroom instruction will be by Power Point.
Students will learn how to do basic Internet, Lexis-Nexis, and Westlaw
legal research.
Diversity/Multicuturalism:
Instructor
will:
1.
Remind students that contributions to the classroom should be made from
diverse people to solve educational issues that could affect the teaching field.
2.
Provide an atmosphere where all students are comfortable to express their
thoughts and beliefs.
3.
Use a variety of teaching styles (mode) to address a diverse classroom.
4.
Encourage teams or groups within the classroom that foster mutual respect
and cooperation.
5
Offer a chance for students to meet with me after class to discuss issues
or assignments they may not have understood.
Special
Needs/Accommodation Policy:
Students
who believe that they may need accommodations due to a documented disability should
contact the Academic Resource Center (Andrews Hall, Third floor, 376-4700) and
the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented
in a timely manner. You must meet
with the ARC staff to verify your eligibility for any accommodation and for academic
assistance.
Policy
on Cheating and Plagiarism:
"Academic
dishonest within the academic community is a very serious matter, because dishonesty
destroys the basic trust necessary for a healthy education environment. Academic dishonesty is any treatment or
representation of work as if one were fully responsible for it, when it is in
fact the work of another person. Academic
dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, theft, or improper manipulation of laboratory
or research data or theft of services. A substantiated case of academic dishonesty
may result in disciplinary action, including a failing grade on the project, a
failing grade in the course, or expulsion from the College."
Academic dishonesty in a MasterŐs degree program is a very serious matter
and will more than likely cause an expulsion from the College (Marietta College
Graduate Programs, 2003-2004 Catalog, p. 34).
Attendance
Policy:
Instructor
requests that students attend all class sessions that are held. Attendance is part of the studentŐs course grade.
Grading:
The
grades in this course are based upon the following percentages:
97%
- 100% A+
83% - 86% B
70% - 72% C-
93%
- 96% A
80% - 82% B-
67% - 69% D+
90%
- 92% A-
77% - 79% C+ 63% - 66% D
87%
- 89% B+ 73% - 76% C
60% - 62% D-
Below 60% F
Assessment
Outcomes:
| Course Assignments | Assessment |
| Mid-Term #1 (100 points)
after 7th week | Exam |
| Final #1 (200 points)
after 14th week | Exam |
| Five Case Reviews (50
points) | Written evaluation |
| Research and legal argument
project (100 points) | Written evaluation |
| Attendance and Participation
(50 points) | Teacher chart |
| | |
CLASS
SCHEDULE:
Date
Topic
Readings
8.23.06 Introduction and Assignments (Held in conjunction with Graduate Orientation) (Only Wednesday night class)
No class on 8.31.06 (Read Chapters 1, 2, 3 of Yell text).
9.7.06 Introduction to the legal system
Chs. 1, 2,3
and legal research. Power Point
9.14.06
Legal research continued. History
of the Chs.
3 and 4
law and children with disabilities.
Case Review #1 assigned.
9.21.06
The Individual with Disabilities Education
Ch. 5
Act.
Discussion of Case Review #1.
Case Review #2 assigned.
9.28.06
¤504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Ch. 6
Discussion of Case Review #2.
10.05.06
The American with Disabilities Act.
Ch. 7 and handouts
Chapter 4112 of the Ohio Revised Code
and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
Case Review #3 assigned.
Research and legal argument project assigned.
10.12.06
Continuation of 10.05.06 topics.
Ch. 7 and handouts
Case Review #3 discussed.
Case Review #4 assigned.
10.19.06
Free Appropriation Public Education.
Ch. 8 and handouts.
Chapter 3323 of the Ohio Revised Code,
ŇEducation of Handicapped Children.
Case Review #4 discussed.
Midterm examination review.
10.26.06
Midterm examination.
11.2.06 The Individualized Education Program
Ch. 9
Midterm examination results review.
Case Review #5 assigned.
11.9.06
Related Services. Identification,
Chs. 10 and 11
Assessment, and Evaluation.
Case Review #5 discussed.
11.16.06
Continuation of 11.02.06 topics.
Chs. 12 and 13
Least Restrictive Environment.
Procedural Safeguards.
11.30.06 Research and legal argument projects
presentations.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Power Point
Act. Sunshine laws. Liability for student
injuries.
Final examination review.
12.07.06
Final examination.
(144557)