The adoption of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Education for All Handicapped Children's Act, now the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), have had a major impact on the delivery of services for children with special needs. In light of the legal issues surrounding the delivery of special education…

A major expense associated with litigating disputes under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the right of parents who succeed in suits against their school boards to recover attorney fees. Yet until recently, boards were generally unable to recover attorney fees from parents even when they succeeded in demonstrating that…

Students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If school officials fail to provide students with a FAPE, the courts may grant appropriate relief. Courts often direct educators to provide students with disabilities with a FAPE and to compensate…

Major court decisions concerning the least restrictive environment for students with severe disabilities are analyzed and conclusions are drawn outlining the current status of case law. Court cases have weighed the benefits of mainstreaming against the benefits of providing greater or more specialized services in a segregated program. In general,…

The four Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Education for All Handicapped Children Act which have been handed down to date are reviewed: Board of Education v. Rowley (1982), Irving v. Tatro (1984), Smith v. Robinson (1984), and Burlington v. Department of Education (1985). Implications and pending legislation are discussed. (JW)

The Handicapped Children's Protection Act allows the courts to provide an award of reasonable attorney fees to prevailing parents or guardians in any action or proceeding brought under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Discusses issues litigated in attorney fee reimbursement cases. (60 references) (MLF)

Several court cases have involved the provision of special education services to students who attend parochial schools. In "Zobrest," the Supreme Court ruled in favor of providing a sign-language interpreter to a parochial school student. Reviews that decision against the backdrop of establishment clause decisions in general. (MLF)

Under provisions of the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments, school officials may change a disruptive student's placement before the situation escalates and requires disciplinary measures. IDEA's purpose is to address students' disabilities, including those causing them to misbehave. Also, disabled students may be suspended…

The rights and privileges granted by the Constitution were affirmed for special-needs students through passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, difficulties can arise when the duty of the school administrator to maintain order, discipline, and a safe environment clashes with special education students' rights to…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires school districts to educate students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE). The IDEA does not require mainstreaming in all cases; however, in several recent cases, courts began to tip the scales in favor of inclusive programming for these students. Reviews cases…

Summarizes and analyzes major court decisions concerned with the provision of special education and related services to parochial school students. Implications are discussed for providing on-site special education services at parochial schools. The level of services required and concerns with providing on-site services are discussed. (Author/CR)

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act requires school districts to provide handicapped children with an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Analyzes several circuit court decisions that provide a reasonable framework for courts to use in deciding least restrictive environment controversies. (MLF)

Examines two cases, both involving hearing-impaired students. In each situation the student's parents had requested the services of a sign language interpreter for all classes at a parochial school. Emphasis is placed on the First Amendment issues the Supreme Court is expected to address in the "Zobrest v. Catalina Foothills School…

School districts are required to provide special education and related services to handicapped students enrolled in private schools. Generally, a school district can provide these services offsite but must provide transportation between sites. (MLF)

If extended school year (ESY) programming is required in order for the student with disabilities to receive an appropriate education, school districts must make the necessary provisions. Reviews court decisions. (31 footnotes) (MLF)