In the United States, more than 5.5 million children up to 21 years of age are receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Guernsey and Klare discuss the interplay of several federal statutes and other statutes and regulations affecting both general education and special education, and takes the education professional, lawyer, or parent through the process of providing special education services to children. It provides a solid background in special education law and is fully up-to-date with the recent recodification of IDEA, the new Department of Education regulation, and the most recent case law. Should differences arise between the child's parents and a public agency, the book details the methods for resolving that disagreement.

Annual supplements are planned.