EDL 523 Navigating School and Special Education Law

School and district leaders must have a working knowledge of relevant legal issues as part of their leadership roles. This working knowledge is important for several reasons. First, a leader should have knowledge to recognize a potential legal issue and seek necessary counsel. Second, legal knowledge should be at a level where the leader can confidently act in ethical and professional manner regarding day-to-day operational activities. Third, the leader should be familiar with the law and policy making systems to a degree that enables effective advocacy and involvement in those systems. Finally, the leader must be able to quickly assess emergency situations and respond in a reasonable and prudent manner to maintain fairness and avoid liabilities. This course enables leadership candidates to understand the fundamentals of school law, and in particular, special education law, to ensure that laws are upheld and applied fairly and equitably with the goal of enhancing school climate. Particular attention will be given to application of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and student learning in the least restrictive environments. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 2 semester hours