History, Legal Issues, and Support Systems in Special Education, Ebel, Summer 2026

Course Description

Course Description:

This course examines the legal and ethical issues embedded in the provision of special education services to individuals with disabilities and their families. The course addresses the historical treatment of people with disabilities from a service delivery model perspective. Significant legislation and court decisions will be addressed along with current special education legal requirements and local, state, and community issues impacting services. Specific attention will be given to ways in which disability may be viewed as a form of diversity. Additionally, important frameworks and concepts including social construction of disability, self-determination, inclusion, collaboration with diverse families and person-centered planning will be explored in-depth.

Audience:

This course is primarily for graduate students in VT-HEC’s special education licensing programs (with an earned bachelor’s degree). If space permits, the course will be open to other educators with an earned bachelor’s degree on a drop-in basis.

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

1. Students will be able to articulate the evolution of special education by identifying key historical figures, landmark litigation, and the legislative milestones (including VT State Special Ed. Regulations) that have shaped practices and trends in the field.
2. Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the special education process—specifically the procedures governing referral, evaluation, eligibility determination, and placement—ensuring all actions align with federal and state mandates.
3. Students will be able to navigate the ethical complexities of the field, fostering a framework that prioritizes the perspectives of individuals with disabilities. This includes promoting self-determination and active advocacy to ensure student rights and dignity are maintained.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to build effective partnerships between schools and families. This includes leading IEP teams and leveraging local, state, and community resources to support student success.
5. Students will analyze how current local and community issues impact service delivery. They will be prepared to work sensitively with diverse populations, ensuring that educational environments are responsive to the varying cultural and social needs of students and their families.

Course Objectives:

•  Recognize the historical and contemporary individuals who have contributed significantly to special education.
• Demonstrate knowledge of major trends and contemporary issues that impact general and special education.
• Understand the foundation and history of special education.
• Understand ethical issues in the education of students with disabilities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and community issues impacting services to students and families.
• Demonstrate knowledge of collaborative teaming as it applies to IEP teams including parent/school partnerships and working with diverse families.
• Demonstrate knowledge of key litigation and federal and state legislation affecting special education as well as VT State Special Ed. Regulations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of procedures governing the referral, evaluation, eligibility determination, program planning and placement of students with disabilities.
• Develop a framework for understanding the perspective of families and individuals with disabilities and understand the concepts of self-determination and advocacy.

Required Readings/Resources

Costs for required readings/resources may not be included in the course tuition. Please contact VT-HEC for more information.