SPED 602 Legal, Political, and Ethical Issues in Urban Special Education

Students in this course examine, discuss, and practice the elements of special education law, litigation, ethics of professional practice in special education and how these elements affect the identification, eligibility determination, planning, programming, and instruction of diverse student with disabilities. Attention is paid to the social and political issues and contexts affecting such services, especially regarding the differences and similarities that would facilitate the involvement of students with disabilities and their families from diverse ethnic/racial, linguistic, and social, gendered, and socio-economic backgrounds. Topics include the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, and educators, due process, data privacy safeguards, ethical practices, and effective communication strategies for working with diverse students with disabilities and their families.