Key Issues for Teachers Regarding Legislation, Litigation, and Advocacy

Chapter Objectives

• 1.

  Understand the key legislation and litigation that have impacted education and practices.

• 2.

  Apply knowledge of key legal terminology and laws by reflecting on case studies.

• 3.

  Develop a personal or professional advocacy plan by applying the advocacy framework.

Introduction

Educators in both general and special education settings teach a widely-diverse population of students with varying strengths and abilities; these students all have equal protections under the law per mandates that have been put into place because of litigation. Therefore, the constructs of this chapter center upon legislation and litigation pertaining to educational environments. This chapter examines specific examples of federal education laws, supplies guidelines into the interpretation and application of laws, and provides a framework from which educators can develop an advocacy plan that incorporates their understandings of educational legislation. Educators must be well informed on how federal and state guidelines intersect and impact school and student programming and services.