Overview: This section presents key background information to increase understanding of federal regulations as applied to the education of students with disabilities. Ask participants to “jigsaw read” several articles and present their findings. Then lead the group in a discussion of “Pesky Paradigms”.

Presenter Instructions:
Follow the slides, divide participants into small groups for a “jigsaw reading” activity, and lead a whole group discussion on the findings. Then present the “Pesky Paradigms” activity to the whole group for debate and reflection.

Prior to facilitating this session, read and be familiar with the following articles:
Overview of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504: Update 2001 http://ericec.org/digests/e606.html
NLS Factsheets: Copyright Law Amendment, 1996: PL 104-197 http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/copyright.html
If unfamiliar with “jigsaw reading,” visit The Jigsaw Classroom http://www.jigsaw.org/ to learn more about this technique.

Participants will need access to the following files, preferably in multiple formats:
Overview of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504: Update 2001 http://ericec.org/digests/e606.html
NLS Factsheets: Copyright Law Amendment, 1996: PL 104-197 http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/copyright.html
Law Recording Sheet template (dot)
Chafee Recording Sheet template (dot)

Teaching is a demanding profession. There are numerous challenges that teachers face each day: diverse student populations, varied cultural backgrounds and languages of students, mixed ability levels, high standards for all students, accountability systems for all to participate in, and high expectations for all students. Some of these challenges and demands are a result of federal legislation. This session will highlight critical legislation.