Special education refers to educational services provided to students with disabilities to meet their needs through specialized instruction. Federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ensure students receive a free public education tailored to their requirements. Special education teachers are expected to adhere to codes of ethics, respect all learners, maintain privacy, and advocate for students' needs by providing accommodations and implementing individualized education programs.

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3. Define Special Education
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Good day everyone!
Today, we are going to be discussing special
education, the laws and policies, code of ethics, and
professional standards and expectations. Let’s define
Special Education!
Special Education refers to educational services that
are provided to students with disabilities that will meet their
needs with the right instruction. With special education
programs, the purpose is to provide exceptional support
and accommodations to help students become successful,
both academically and socially.

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For Special Education, there are several laws and policies, both
federal and state level.
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Child Find Mandate
• Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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• IDEA is a federal law that will ensure students with disabilities are
provided with a free public education that fits their needs, which also
include services that allow them to participate in general ed.
• Child Find Mandate is a necessity under IDEA that will require schools to identify,
locate, and evaluate all students who may need special education services. This
includes public and private schools, homeless and wards of the state of California.
• Section 504 prohibits any discrimination against children with disabilities
that is provided with federal funding.
• ADA prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in all
aspects of life. (i.e., employment, transportation, education)

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- Adhering to Codes of Ethics
- Treating all learners with respect and dignity
- Protecting their privacy
- Maintaining the professional boundaries
- Advocating for their needs
- Assessing for the appropriate needs
- Develop and implement IEPs
- Provide accommodations

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Special education teachers are expected to adhere the
codes of ethics that will promote the top standards of
professionalism, which includes confidentiality. They are to
respect the diversity of their classroom and have great
commitment to the well being of their students.

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Advocating to Meet
Needs
Promoting their Full
Potential
Demonstrating Respect
for their Diversity
Demonstrating
Collaboration with All
Working Collaboratively
with:
- Parents
- Educators
- Other Stakeholders
Create a supportive and
inclusive learning that will
develop their full
potential:
- Appropriate
accommodations
- Opportunities for
engagement
Understanding of:
- Cultural
- Linguistic
- Socioeconomic
Working with:
- Families to understand
needs and concerns
- Collaborating with
Coworkers to develop
and implement
effective strategies
- Engaging students
with participation and
communication

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11. • Individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA). Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act. (2023, April 19). Retrieved April 24, 2023,
from https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
• Laws, regulations, & policies. Laws, Regulations, & Policies -
Special Education (CA Dept of Education). (n.d.). Retrieved April 24,
2023, from https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, October 4). Special education
teachers : Occupational outlook handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-
education-teachers.htm
• Code of ethics - exceptional children. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2023,
from https://exceptionalchildren.org/sites/default/files/2020-
07/Code%20of%20Ethics.pdf
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