Thomas Hehir, special education chief of Chicago Public Schools, is evangelist of integrating children with disabilities into regular classrooms. By completely reorganizing department viewed as political patronage dumping ground, Hehir has made remarkable progress in handling large number of children awaiting evaluation and placement in special…

Reviews recent court decisions on copyright law and videotaping, as well as payment of private school tuition in special education student placement challenges. (MD)

Movement for full inclusion of students with disabilities in regular classrooms asks educators to take landmark 1975 Education of the Handicapped (recently reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) a step farther. All five of the 1993-94 inclusion-related legal cases favored general education environments--even for severely…

A reinterpretation of student due process rights in a Mississippi court is reviewed. Public Law 94-142 is evaluated. A recent court decision found that if school systems allow nonhandicapped students to stay in school longer to complete graduation requirements they must also provide education for handicapped students through age 21. (MD)

A federal court awarded attorney fees in a P.L. 94-142 case on the basis of violation of a handicapped student's due process rights, and the U.S. Surpeme Court will review another P.L. 94-142 case that could have an impact on special education budgets. (DCS)

Offers advice to administrators on how to avoid due process hearings related to special education programs. (WD)

Reviews recent federal court findings in three legal areas: the responsibility of public schools to reimburse tuition costs for special education students placed in appropriate private programs, parents' rights to sue for damages when special education placement is inadequate, and students' freedom to incorporate sexual innuendo into speeches.…

Delivering appropriate education to severely handicapped students poses unique legal problems for schools. Legal issues involved in actual court cases are reviewed and show that concern over potential liability may be unwarranted if the following areas are understood: what is appropriate education and when is a teacher liable? (MD)

Discusses statutory requirements of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and offers advice to administrators faced with a due process hearing, including steps in hearing preparation, conduct, and follow-up. (WD)

Establishing a district's gifted education program involves (1) building support among other administrators, (2) involving teachers, (3) planning the program through a school-community committee, (4) developing a budget, (5) having principals coordinate the program, (6) maintaining parent support, and (7) not favoring the gifted program over other…

Notes current litigation influencing schools: upcoming Supreme Court cases, including one involving extension of exclusionary rule to school officials; an Oregon court decision holding athletic associations liable for injured student athletes; and an appeals court ruling against restricting handicapped students to normal-length school years. (JW)