Clear, well organized presentation of IDEA and other pertinent federal laws, together with well organized discussion of relevant cases, help educators understand and apply their knowledge in concrete situations. The emphasis of this practical book is on increasing understanding at a conceptual level rather than rote memorization of detailed provisions of the IDEA and other laws. By understanding the law, educators will be better equipped to work with future amendments of IDEA and with new laws that may be enacted by Congress. They will also have an increased ability to apply statutory provisions to specific situations. Part I Constitutional Framework: provides important background inunderstanding the authority that Congresshas to enact laws that impact on education in the United States andthe authority that the courts have to interpret laws. Includes discussion of thejudicial system, the key provisions of theUnited States Constitution,due process, equal protection, the statutes of certain regulations, and abrief overview and comparison of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act (RA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Part II IDEA: covers background, basic language and coverage, duty to evaluate,FAPE, IEP, placement, related services, inclusions/least restrictive environment, private school, discipline, mediation, due process, and court proceedings.Sample formsare included to supplement discussion with concrete examples to aid understanding. Part III RA and ADA: coversRA/ADA basics, such as who is an individual with a disability, what entities are covered, enforcement provisions, and application to schools, universities, and employers. Part IV Other Legal Issues:coversNo Child Left Behind,FERPA,tort liability, andhigh stakes testingissues. At the end of each part there is a very basic question and answer section to assist the student in focusing on major points in each part.