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Syllabus: Special Education Law University of Houston Law Center

Professor Dustin Rynders Fall 2020

I. Course Description

Course addresses the state and federal laws and regulations that govern the education of

students with disabilities. Course will cover identification, evaluation, individualized education

programs, placement, related services, assistive technology, discipline, enforcement, and

remedies. This course will use a combination of lectures, class discussions, in-class exercises, and

case studies.

II. Course Materials

a. Special Education Law: Cases and Materials, Author: Weber, Mawdsley and Redfield

Fourth ed.; Supplement available for free at https://cap-

press.com/pdf/WeberEtAlSpecialEducLaw4e2018SuppWM.pdf

b. Texas Special Education Side by Side, available for free at

http://framework.esc18.net/Documents/Side-by-Side%20MAR%202012.pdf.

III. Office Hours

Please email dustin.rynders@gmail.com or text (832) 971-8984 to schedule a time to speak

outside of class.

IV. Class Attendance

The Law Center requires students to attend at least 80% of the scheduled classes. Any student

who attends fewer than the minimum percentage of classes is to be automatically dropped from

the class.

Because the course is 100% virtual, I will be taking attendance through a Google Attendance

Tracker at the link below. Once you click the link, the website will populate and ask you two

questions (your last name and today’s code word). Once you have logged in to your Zoom class,

Prof. Rynders will provide you with the code word for the day. Click into the Attendance Tracker

link and type in your last name in the correct location, and then today’s code word where asked.

Click on the submit button and you should receive a confirmation. If it doesn’t appear that it

saved your information, you can do it again. Executive Secretary Elaine Fiala will keep track of

attendance.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bottdptvnSJFK5LLCsyw4Y-x8X8kbDomUcaQR--pJ-M/edit

V. Counseling & Psychological Services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) can help students who are having difficulties

managing stress, adjusting to the demands of a professional program, or feeling sad and

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hopeless. You can reach CAPS (www.uh.edu/caps) by calling 713-743-5454 during and after

business hours for routine appointments or if you or someone you know is in crisis. No

appointment is necessary for the “Let's Talk” program, a drop-in consultation service at

convenient locations and hours around campus.

http://www.uh.edu/caps/outreach/lets_talk.html

VI. Examination and Grading

Your grade in this course will be derived from your examination score. Grades will be adjusted

up to one-half increment based on class participation and performance. For example, a student

with excellent participation whose exam is graded at a B+ could receive an A- because of

participation. The exam will be open text book and notes/outlines. Students are only allowed to

use outlines or notes that are their own work product. Students may tab and write in their text

books.

VII. Recording of Class

Students may not record all or part of class, livestream all or part of class, or make/distribute

screen captures, without advanced written consent of the instructor. If you have or think you

may have a disability such that you need to record class-related activities, please contact the

Center for Students with DisABILITIES. If you have an accommodation to record class-related

activities, those recordings may not be shared with any other student, whether in this course or

not, or with any other person or on any other platform. Classes may be recorded by the

instructor. Students may use instructor’s recordings for their own studying and notetaking.

Instructor’s recordings are not authorized to be shared with anyone without the prior written

approval of the instructor. Failure to comply with requirements regarding recordings will result

in a disciplinary referral to the Dean of Students Office and may result in disciplinary action.

VIII. Syllabus Changes

Due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, please note that the instructor may

need to make modifications to the course syllabus and may do so at any time. Notice of such

changes will be announced as quickly as possible through (specify how students will be notified

of changes).

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Course Outline NOTE: Portions of this Course Outline may be altered or deleted depending upon the amount of material that we are able to cover during the semester.

Week Topic Reading Assignment

August 24, 2020 Overview Pgs. 1 – top of 39 (stopping at 3. Education for all Children with Disabilities); download Side-by-Side Guide and review table of contents

August 31, 2020 Eligibility & Evaluation Pgs. 55 – 100; 110 - 117; and Note 10, pgs. 125–129. Houston Chronicle Denied Series https://www.houstonchronicle.com/denied/ Read Part 1 of Series, and skim key ideas from Parts 2-7.

September 7, 2020

Labor day - No class No Assignment

September 14, 2020 Residency Pgs. 131 – 159; Homeless Education: School Selection, available at http://www.theotx.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/school_selection.pdf and, Questions and Answers on School Selection, School of Origin, and Transportation http://www.theotx.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/QA_SchoolSelection_SchoolofOrigin_andTransportation.pdf

September 21, 2020 Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

Pgs. 161 – 200

September 28, 2020 October 5, 2020

Other FAPE Issues Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Pgs. 200-232; Cypress Fairbanks I.S.D. v. Michael F., 118 F. 3d 245 (1997); Endrew F. v. Douglas County, available Supplement 1-10. Pgs. 233 – 265, 273-286

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October 12, 2020 Placement, Least Restrictive Environment

Pgs. 287 – 317

October 19, 2020 Related Services &

Assistive Technology

Pgs. 319 – 356; Side-By-Side Guide 34 C.F.R. §§300.5 – 300.6 (pg. A-3); 34 C.F.R. §300.105 (pg. B-10)

October 26, 2020 Behavior & Student Discipline

Pgs. 447 – 476; Side-by-Side Guide TEX. ADMIN. CODE §89.1053 (pgs. D-40 – D-43)

November 2, 2020 November 9, 2020 November 16, 2020 November 23, 2020 November 30, 2020

Education Advocacy for Dually Managed Youth IEP Meeting Role Play Court Proceedings Court Proceedings (cont.) Transition Services & Post-Secondary Education

No textbook reading. Reading to be distributed in class. Case file for IEP Meeting Role Play will be distributed in class Pgs. 477-513; Fry v. Napolean Community

Schools, 137 S. Ct. 743 (2017), available

Supplement 36-50

Pgs. 514-553 Pgs. 629-678; Side-By-Side Guide pg. A-40 Transition Services