Wrightslaw: Special Education Law

The book and detailed index place a great deal of information in a compact, lie-flat, graphically pleasing volume. It provides more than 370 pages of the fundamental statutes, regulations, and U.S. Supreme Court decisions that weave the matrix of IDEA special education law and Section 504 law, as well as providing the educational record keeping rules of FERPA.

The authors introduce each basic source material with "overview chapters" to assist a lay reader. One of the best features of the book is the insertion of editorial content by the authors immediately adjacent to various statutory sections of text of IDEA. For example, on pages 76-77, the authors advise on the confusing area of manifestation determination reviews, suspension or expulsion, and interim alternative education settings.

As a practicing attorney advocate for children with special education needs, my interest in special education law began with one of my daughters, a child with a disability."Wrightslaw: Special Education Law" differs from other compilations, which bury the raw statutes in fine print in an appendix at the back of the book. It is an intelligent selection of the mandatory laws presented in a readable font and organized with user-friendly editorial overviews and commentary. With this new book, parents and attorneys have the actual law at their fingertips to dispell misinformation and (sadly) disinformation from administrators in local school systems.The Wrights have made a terrific contribution in assembling so much important material.

Reviewed by Malcolm B. Higgins,II. Law Offices of Malcolm B.Higgins,II, Virginia Beach, Va.


Great Resource for Parents and Professionals   November 2, 1999
25 out of 25 found this review helpful

This is a great resource, putting all the laws, rules and regulations that are relevant to special education in one handy place. In addition to the actual copies of laws, notation of relevant case law is a really useful addition. Overviews of the laws/regulations and commentary are extremely helpful.

This book is a valuable resource for school psychologists, and it is required reading for my graduate course covering legal and ethical issues for school psychologists in training. Knowing the regulations and the law will help professionals plan programs that meet the needs of children and the requirements of the law.

I recommend it highly for parents, also. Parents are many times at a disadvantage because they do not know the law. With this book as a reference parents can be a fully participating member of the special education team.


A must have for any parent fighting for services   October 28, 1999
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

I am a parent of a child who five years ago, was illegally denied services by his high school and because of the fighting between parents and school adiminstration, our son wound up being expelled for behavior associated with his disorder. Out of that situation, I have devoted my life to helping parents of children with Attention Deficit Disorder, to make sure this does not happen to their child. I have accumulated years woth of documents on the legal aspects of advocating for your child. This book, eliminates the need for me to have those files. It is consise, to the point, realistic, and based on sound legal advice, and the best advice I have ever seen relative to Special Education. As an active advocate, on a nationwide basis, for children with Attention Deficit Disorder, this is now the first book I go to to get help from. This is not just another rehash of old ideas. I don't think you need this book. I know you need this book.


Wrightslaw: Special Education Law   June 13, 2002
Sandra Harris (Richmond, VA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

As a parent of a child with autism, I have faced many struggles.
Working with the public school system to provide my son an appropriate education has been the hardest struggle by far. I have read Wrightslaw: Special Ed Law and From Emotions to Advocacy by Peter Wright and have found them to be an invaluable resource for parents of special needs children. As with any disability, parents must educate themselves in order to help their child. These books are loaded with information that is essential for parents who wants to be strong advocates. I recommend these books to every parent who has a child in the public school system.


The Special Education "Bible"   October 17, 1999
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

What a wonderful resource for parents, their advocates and attorneys who need fast references and quick answers to special education legal problems!

As a special education attorney who has represented children with disabilities for many years, I can tell you this is a resource that is truly "one of a kind." The feature I like the best are the Wrightslaw "indented" notes throughout the special education regulations. Just an example- one new and confusing issue is whether public schools must provide services to disabled children who attend parochial schools. Pete and Pam sum it up nicely on page 44 where an "indent" gives the reader the basic rule and warns the reader about the changing case law in this area.

This overall review of the law with comments is long overdue and a desperately needed resource for many parents. It is simple, understandable and handy to keep in one's briefcase. Knowing that this self-help resource is "out there" for parents and their advocates during a time when special education attorneys are in short supply and problems are many, helps me worry less about the 105,000 children with special education needs in Minnesota whose names and needs I will never know. That the book includes the 1997 revision of the IDEA and its regulations is only ice cream on the cake.

Sonja Kerr, Esq.