The Essentials of Special Education Advocacy

Andrew M. Markelz, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education, Assistant Department Chair, and Director of Graduate Studies at Ball State University. Dr. Markelz is editor of the Journal of Special Education Preparation and co-author of The Essentials of Special Education Law. Dr. Markelz is committed to expediting the novice-to-expert teaching curve by preparing special educators to implement proactive classroom management strategies and develop meaningful and legally defensible individualized education programs according to special education law. Sarah A. Nagro, EdD, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Special Education and Disability Research, Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Research and Development in Teacher Education, and Professor in Charge of the Special Education PhD specialization at George Mason University. Dr. Nagro is committed to identifying best practices for preparing profession-ready teachers who can sustain and grow in the profession to improve the learning experiences of all students including students with disabilities. Kevin Monnin, MEd, is a Doctoral Fellow in the Special Education Program at George Mason University. His research interests focus on studying strategies to attract, prepare, and retain high-quality teachers; often including non-traditional methods for preparing teachers in high-needs fields. Mr. Monnin previously worked as a special education teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. He earned his Master of Education in special education at George Mason University and received his bachelor’s in Government and International Politics. David F. Bateman, PhD, is a professor at Shippensburg University in the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education. He is a former due process hearing officer for Pennsylvania for over 580 hearings. Dr. Bateman uses his knowledge of litigation relating to special education to assist school districts in providing appropriate supports for students with disabilities and to prevent and to recover from due process hearings. Dr. Bateman earned a Ph.D. in special education from the University of Kansas and has published numerous articles and books pertaining to special education law and administration.

Preface

Section I: Foundations of Special Education

Chapter 1: The Government

Chapter 2: A History of Advocacy

Section II: Rings of Advocacy

Chapter 3: Ring of Self Advocacy

Chapter 4: Ring of Classroom Advocacy

Chapter 5: Ring of School Advocacy

Chapter 6: Ring of State Advocacy

Chapter 7: Ring of Federal Advocacy

Section III: Advocacy in Practice

Chapter 8: Inclusion of Students with Disabilities

Chapter 9: The Special Education Teacher Shortage

Chapter 10: Inequities in Special Education

Index

About the Authors