Legal Information in Special Education: Accuracy with Transparency

ABSTRACT This article presents a tool for systematic consideration of the accuracy of the legal contents of publications in special education. The tool is a two-dimensional grid with one axis having three overall levels relative to legal requirements and the other axis having the three perspectives symbolized by the courtroom roles of pro-parent, impartial, and pro-district representatives. The purpose is to facilitate authors‘ self-reflecting awareness and readers’ assessment of the legal accuracy of special education publications, including careful consideration of the interrelated issue of transparency. Finally, this tool is intended as the starting, rather than ending, point of such systematic reflection, including the addition of other significant dimensions, such as legal expertise, for ultimate improvement of the legal literacy of professionals and parents in special education.