Special Education Law Library

The Special Education Law Library includes resources on special education law including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004 and IDEA 97), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, special education cases, and legal practice articles.

The Special Education Law Library also includes the Family Educational Records and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

You may search for specific information on dozens of topics.

Overview: Special Education Law Library

Articles & Reports- Articles by practicing attorneys on a variety of topics; briefs and pleadings; useful documents.

IDEA 2004 - Includes the IDEA 2004 statute with commentary; articles about how the law affects various stakeholders; flyers and free publications on many topics. These topics include eligibility for specific learning disability (SLD), IEPs, IEP meetings, IEP team members, high stakes testing, accommodations, alternate assessments, transition, parental rights. Learn more.

IDEA 97: Statute & Regulations

No Child Left Behind - Articles, publications, reports, and other resources . Topics include reading, research based instruction, annual proficiency testing, parental involvement, tutoring and supplemental educational services, highly qualified teachers, transfers from failing schools, and public school choice. Learn more.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act - A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, Section 504 ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education. Learn more.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) - a federal statute that is intended to ensure that parents have access to their children's educational records and to protect the privacy rights of parents and children by limiting access to these records without parental consent. Learn more.

McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act - The federal law that governs the education of homeless children. This law provides many rights to homeless children and their families, and many responsibilities to school districts.

Special Education Caselaw - selected cases from around the country on common themes - procedural and substantive issues, FAPE, sufficiency of the IEP, and more.

Special Education News & Alerts

Overview: Special Education Advocacy Library

Advocacy Articles - Hundreds of articles on dozens of topics.

Advocacy Tips - Tips from experienced advocates.

Ask the Advocate by Pat Howey - Advocate Pat Howey offers practical solutions to problems parents encounter when they deal with The School.

Doing Your Homework by Sue Whitney - Sue Whitney writes about reading, research based instruction, creative advocacy strategies, school improvement, and No Child Left Behind.

Special Education FAQs: Questions & Answers from Pete & Pam Wright

Newsletter Archives - Issues of The Special Ed Advocate published since 1998.

Newsletters & Journals

The Special Ed Advocate is the free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. The Special Ed Advocate is published weekly, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday, with occasional breaks. Subscribers also receive "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books. Subscribe.

The Beacon: Journal of Special Education Law & Practice - The Beacon is an electronic journal of special education law and practice published by Harbor House Law Press. The Beacon includes articles and essays for attorneys and advocates who represent children with disabilities and others who are interested in special education legal topics. Beacon Archives

Wrightslaw Books & DVDs

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition (ISBN: 978-1-892320-16-2, 456 pages) by Peter Wright and Pamela Wright is available in two formats, as a print book and a print & e-book combo. Order The book includes:

Full text of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and IDEA 2004 regulations with analysis and commentary
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
No Child Left Behind Act
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
McKinney-Vento Homeless Act
Decisions in special education cases from the U. S. Supreme Court
References and resources Order

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition (ISBN: 1-892320-09-6, 334 pages, 8.5" X 11") by Pam and Pete Wright is a practical "survival guide" designed to teach you how to advocate for children with disabilities. Download flyer l Order

Wrightslaw: All About IEPs (ISBN: 978-1-892320-20-9, 192 pages ($12.95) by Peter Wright, Pamela Wright and Sandra O'Connor contains clear, concise answers to frequently asked questions about IEPs. Learn what the law says about:

IEP Teams and IEP Meetings
Parental Rights & Consent
Steps in Developing the IEP
Placement, Transition, Assistive Technology
Strategies to Resolve Disagreements

Wrightslaw: All About IEPs is available in the Wrightslaw Store in several formats:

Surviving Due Process: Stephen Jeffers v. School Board DVD, published by Harbor House Law Press, Inc. takes you through a special education due process hearing, from initial preparations to testimony by the final witness. Download the flyer $19.95 Order

Wrightslaw Training & Seminars

Wrightslaw offers a variety of special education law and advocacy programs taught by experts in the field. Topics include:

* What You Don't Know About IDEA CAN Hurt You (one day; 6 hours)

* From Emotions to Advocacy (one day; 6 hours)

* Wrightslaw Special Ed Law & Advocacy Training Program (one day; 6 hours)

* Wrightslaw Special Ed Law & Advocacy Boot Camp (two days; 12 hours)

* Private Training on other topics

Schedule of Programs

To Top

Last updated: 2/11/2022


COVID-19 Law Advocacy Topics A-Z Training Wrights' Blog Wrightslaw Store Yellow Pages for Kids