Functioning both as an introduction for people with no special education expertise and as a reference by special educators, advocates, and attorneys, the text makes clear all the related laws, which share some of the same language and have been a constant source of confusion to students and education scholars alike.

The work proceeds smoothly from definitions to examples to case studies, enabling the reader to quickly gain an understanding of special education law and practice. Legal ambiguities, especially common to laws and regulations sharing similar language (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), are examined. Due process mandates and hearing procedures are examined in detail. Legal guidelines for safely accommodating students with communicable diseases are presented, as are definitions and eligibility issues for students diagnosed as having one of the attention deficit disorders. In this up-to-date overview, Daugherty demystifies special education and related law, making this an invaluable tool for students and education scholars, caregivers, and all others who have an interest in special education.