Special education litigation remains a volatile area with significant practice implications. A review of the 2010 case law in the Special Educator identified discipline (manifestation determination, seclusion and restraints, harassment), evaluation/RTI, and postsecondary transition as specific areas of concern. School administrators should keep abreast of these developments to ensure that the rights of students with disabilities are observed, educational benefits are attained, and potential liability is minimized.
AltmanJ. R.ThurlowM. L.VangM. (2010). Annual performance report: 2007-2008 state assessment data. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes. Retrieved from http://www.cehd.umn.edu/NCEO/OnlinePubs/APRreport2007-2008.pdf
2.
BenitezD. T.MorningstarM. E.FreyB. B. (2009). A multistate survey of special education teachers’ perceptions of their transition competencies. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 32(1), 6-16.
3.
Bisbee Unified School District, No. 2, 54 IDELR 39 (SEA AZ 2010).
4.
CA Code Regulations, Title 5, § 6110(2).
5.
6.
Council for Children with Behavior Disorders. (2009). CCBD’s position summary on the use of physical restraint procedures in school settings. Behavioral Disorders, 34, 223-234.
Dracut School Committee v. Bureau of Special Education Appeals, 55 IDELR 66 (D. MA 2010).
10.
Gottlied v. Laurel Highlands School District, 272F.3d 168 (3rd Cir. 2001).
11.
Hemet California Unified School District, 54 IDELR 328 (OCRIX, San Francisco (CA) 2009).
12.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. 20 U.S.C. §1401 et seq. (2004).
13.
Jackson v. Northwest Local School District, 55 IDELR 71 (S.D. Ohio 2010).
14.
J.W. by J.E.W. and J.A.W. v. Fresno Unified School District, 110 LRE 60488 (9th Circuit 2010).
15.
JGS by Sterner v. Titusville Area School District, 55 IDELR 39 (W.D. PA 2010).
16.
KatsiyannisA.MaagJ. (2001). Manifestation determination as a golden fleece. Exceptional Children, 68(1), 85-96.
17.
Klein Independent School District and Texas Education Agency v. Per Hovem, Knut Hovem, and Signe Hovem, 55 IDELR 92 (S.D. TX 2010).
18.
Lewellyn ex rel. J.L. and L.L. v. Sarasota County School Board, 54 IDELR 189 (Middle District of Florida 2010).
19.
McLeskeyJ.LandersE.WilliamsonP.HoppeyD. (2010). Are we moving toward educating students with disabilities in less restrictive settings?Journal of Special Education. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/002246691037667010.1177/0022466910376670
20.
M.B. and K.H. ex rel. J.B. v. South Orange/Maplewood Board of Education, 55 IDELR 18 (District of New Jersey 2010).
N.L. Lordo v. Special School District of St. Louis County, 54 IDELR 78 (E.D. MO 2010).
23.
PetersonR.AlbrechtS.JohnsB. (2009a). CCBD’s position summary on the use of seclusion in school settings. Behavioral Disorders, 34, 235-243.
24.
PetersonR.AlbrechtS.JohnsB. (2009b). CCBD’s position summary on the use of physical restraint procedures in school settings. Behavioral Disorders, 34, 223-234.
25.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.pbis.org/
26.
Rochester Community Schools v. Papadelis, 55 IDELR 79 (Michigan Court of Appeals 2010).
27.
RozalskiM.StewartA.MillerJ. (2010). How to determine the least restrictive environment for students with disabilities. Exceptionality, 18, 151-163.
28.
RyanJ. B.KatsiyannisA.PetersonR.ChmelarB. (2007). IDEA 2004 and disciplining students with disabilities. NASSP Bulletin, 91, 130-140.
29.
Renee v. Duncan, 623 F. 3d 787 (9th Circuit 2010).
30.
Santa Monica-Malibu (CA) Unified School District, 55 IDELR 208 (OCRVIII, Denver 2010).
31.
ScanlonD. (2008). Contexts of transition. Remedial & Special Education, 29, 131-132.
32.
Sherri High et al v. Exeter Township School District, 54 IDELR 17, (E.D. PA 2010).
33.
Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education (SPENSE). (2002, May7). Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. Retrieved from http://www.spense.org/Results.html
WagnerM.NewmanL.CametoR. (2004). NLTS: Changes over time in the secondary school experiences of students with disabilities. Menlo park, CA: SRI International.
36.
West Baton Rouge Parish School System, 53 IDELR 245 (SEA LA 2009).
37.
YellM. L. (2011). The law and special education (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
