Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition

This is a great overall review book for those who need to brush up on why “special Education” is so important. It talks very specifically about rights and civil rights in regards to education and disability.I would not recommend relying solely on this book as a reference, but It is a good complimentary resource to have just on the basics alone.

The authors of this book have a very popular website and have dedicated themselves to educating and advocating in the special education community.I used the site when learning how to advocate for both of my sons, and I really depended on the information on their site this past year. Unfortunately, they had no conferences close this summer so, I just started ordering their books :)Most of their stuff is aimed towards parents and teachers, with a little bit of parental lean. Cool with me! I am a sped parent and teacher. As a teacher, I am an advocate for my kids and the parents. But I’m not at an interview here...my point is the books are easy to read and interpret, not filled with jargon.But this book is straight up LAW. Like, he says at the beginning that he is not going to interpret it for you just give you the law and it’s no joke! In the first few pages my head was spinning. I had their site and a dictionary site open the whole time. It spells out IDEA, section 504, ADA, recent rulings on special education...as a special ed teacher you NEED to know this. And really, all the research I have had to do to understand the law as it is written has made me internalize it more than if it was summarized. It is truly like taking a law class because you’ll have to study! But it is so worth it. We are held accountable, and the last thing we want is to miss something that can help our kids. Get it!

The book was in excellent condition :)

If you have a special needs child, you need this book. I wish I had gotten it the day we received my son's diagnosis as it would have helped me tremendously with writing IEP's and getting him the services he needs over the last several years. It is so well written - you can read and understand the law and be prepared the next time your school district tells you they can't do such and such. The book gives court cases so you can quickly reference the law and how courts have upheld it which makes a big difference during those meetings.

This is a "must have" for any parent who is trying to advocate for their child's needs in the school setting, but it is the text of the law so it takes a little getting used to. It is a great tool and resource book. School districts do not volunteer information regarding the law to parents and this book helps parents to figure out what their child's rights are. To go along with this I would recommend From Emotions to Advocacy by Peter Wright. He explains in detail the school climate, how parents should respond to be heard, how to write letters (with samples), how to keep records etc. It is very informative and easy reading for the lay person.

For the last six years my child has been deemed as special needs and requires an IEP. However, this book taught me more than everything I've learned from teachers, the school, and special education staff over the six years. I recommend every parent and teacher w/a special ed child to buy this and to tab and highlight.PROS:This book elaborates on the history, importance, and benefits to the child and society of integrating special ed children into regular school environments.Provides helpful links and resources. It also tells you where to look for updates.Special Education Law is provided in addition to having a breakdown to make it undertandable.Explains what an IEP details and how to write one.Explains the childs rights.

Finally, an excellent source book for those of us having to go through the painful experience of IEPs with schools that are watching their budgets beyond the needs of the kids with them. I've worked in government policy and was familiar with researching the federal law and citing it. However, this book is constructed for easy use, and provides how to use it, a welcome experience that makes maneuvering through the law(s) efficient.

A MUST read! Wrightslaw gives the family the tools to attend any IEP meeting and come out a winner! Step by step, the Wrights offer professional advice in and out of the school setting. They teach parents how to be one step ahead of the District, what to ask for on the IEP, (and why), how to document, and why documentation is so important. As I went through Special Education for my child, I considered this book my "Bible." There is so much to learn as a parent of a child with special needs, and the Wrights break it down to areaswhich can be used to the childs best advantage. A must have!