This module introduces the core legal protections and policies that govern special education in the United States. To be an effective advocate, you must not only understand the laws that exist, but also why they were created and how to apply them practically to support children and families. You don’t need to be a lawyer — but you do need to know your legal terrain. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to recognize the key federal laws, explain the principles they’re built on, and understand the legal rights of students and families in the special education system. 🔹 Section 1: The Big Three Laws — IDEA, Section 504, and ADA 🔹 Section 2: FAPE, LRE, and IEPs – Breaking Down the Big Concepts 🔹 Section 3: Parental Rights and Procedural Safeguards 🔹 Section 4: What the Law Says — and What That Means in Real Life 🔹✍️ Activity: 🔹📋 Quiz: Module 2 – Legal Foundations of Special Education You’re not here to memorize legal codes—you’re here to use them as tools. This module gave you the legal lens you’ll need as an advocate: to protect rights, spot red flags, and speak with authority when families need it most.

🧭 Module Overview: This module breaks down the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process into clear, actionable stages so that aspiring advocates can confidently support families from the very first referral to annual reviews and beyond. Whether you're brand new to the world of IEPs or have sat through a few meetings and still feel unsure, this module is built to demystify the system. While later modules in this course will go deeper into IEP goals, accommodations, transition planning, and more, this module gives you the entire bird’s-eye view of how it all fits together—start to finish. You’ll learn when to act, what to ask, and how to be ready at every turn. Sections in Module 3: Referral and Evaluation Eligibility Determination Writing the IEP The IEP Meeting IEP Implementation Annual Review and Reevaluation Amendments and Making Changes