Prerequisites: RCC. Special education programming at the local level in the United States is affected significantly by the actions of the federal and state governments. This course provides students with an understanding of the complex network of interrelated federal and state statutory provisions, attendant regulations, and administrative and judicial decisions concerning special education. Instructional topics include the legal basis of education, the importance of the U.S.Constitution, free appropriate education, related services, extended school year, student records discipline, competency testing, discrimination, physical education and athletics, and special education malpractice.