Title: Legal framework for learner with exceptional needs
Course: EPS 201: PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING (B) > Section: Lesson Eleven: Legal framework for learner with exceptional needs

Legal framework for learner with exceptional needs

Topic-level overview | Topic/week/section | 11
Topic name: | Legal framework for learner with exceptional needs
Aim of the topic: | The aim of this topic  is to enable you find out and understand the legal framework  for learners with exceptional needs in your country and further investigate the educational services available for them.
This topic covers:
1. The legal framework for learners with exceptional needs
2. Services available for learners with exceptional needs
Intended learning outcomes:
At the end of this topic, you will be able to:

1. Explain the legal framework for learners with exceptional needs  in your country
2. Describe the educational services available for  learners with exceptional needs

Overview of student activity

Overview of student activity: | Refer to your country’s constitution and read the relevant chapters and articles that govern special educational rights for learners with disabilities. This will help you to successfully respond to the tasks in e-tivities 11.1 and 11.2.

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment
Intended topic learning outcomes: | No of module-level outcome | Activity where students engage with this outcome | Where and how is this outcome assessed?
At the end of this topic, you will be able to:
1. Explain the legal framework on exceptional learners in your country | 3 & 4 | E-tivity 11.1 | Essay question in the LMS
1. Describe educational  services available for exceptional learners | 3 & 4 | E-tivity 11.2 | Essay question in the LMS

Module-level outcomes addressed:

Module-level outcomes addressed:
Topic 11 addresses module-level learning outcomes 3 and 4
Purpose of the topic/week/section:
The purpose of this topic is to equip you with knowledge of  the enacted laws that your country has put in place to govern special educational rights for learners with exceptional needs.
Over to you:
Different countries of the world have enacted laws that govern special educational rights for learners with disabilities. Since you are likely  to work with learners with exceptional needs in regular classrooms, its important for you to understand  the  initiatives taken by your government to  demonstrate its commitment to provide education to children with special educational needs.
Pre-topic activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
In your opinion why do you think it is important for learning institutions to protect learners with special needs.

1. Write down your answers and post them in discussion forum 11.0.
2. Go through what your colleagues have written and give comments with a view to improving them

E-tivity 11.1

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 11.1

Refer to your country’s constitution and other laws that govern educational rights of children with special needs and;

1. Explain at least three laws that have been enacted in your country to protect the rights of learners with special needs. Post your answers on the discussion forum 11.1.
2. Read what others have posted and identify some commonalities regarding the rights of learners with special needs and post them in discussion forum 11.1
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 11.1.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 2^nd day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Encourage all to participate.
2. Provide feedback on the learning progress.
3. Close the discussion forum.
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The learning outcomes will be assessed through essay  questions.
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section links to the section of  various categories of learners with exceptional needs by providing  an understanding of legal framework guiding their educational rights

E-tivity 11.2

Online activity: | Number of hours | 2 ½   hours
What should students do?
E-tivity 11.2

1. Visit any nearby center for learners with special needs and find out the different educational services provided.
2. Develop a brief report of your findings focusing on the adequacy of these services to the learners and post your answers on the discussion board provided.
3. Read what others have posted and identify the services that are not available in your country and share your findings in discussion forum 11.2
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 11.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 5^th day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Encourage all to participate
2. Provide feedback on the learning progress
3. Close the discussion
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The learning outcomes will be assessed through essay  question.

Face to face time: (if applicable) | Number of hours | 2 hours
The moderator to give;

1. An opportunity to learners to present their reports on the educational services available to learners with special needs as enchored in the constitution
2. A summary of the rights of children with exceptional needs and the importance of the services provided to them.

How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section links with the topic on classroom management by providing knowledge on the educational opporttopicies for special needs learners.

= Total number of hours | 7 hours

Some important questions

Some important questions
Which learning resources/ references will scaffold the students’ learning? | The module
How are students enabled to access the resources? | Through the institutional LMS and OER Africa website
Where in this topic are students expected to work collaboratively? | In the discussion board 11.1 and 11.2
How has an inclusive approach been incorporated in this topic? | Varied activities for the learners
How will feedback on topic be obtained from students? | Online posts in discussion board.
How will student feedback be used to improve topic? | The e-moderator will consider the feedback from students to ascertain whether they have mastered the content for appropriate interventions where necessary.
At which point(s) will students receive formative feedback on the work they have done in the topic? | By the end of the 11^th  week

Question 1

Explain the legal framework on exceptional learners in your country

Guidance to question 1

Different countries have enacted laws that govern special educational rights for learners with exceptional needs. Learners are expected to read their constitution and identify some of the rights guaranteed by their countries regarding learners with exceptional needs. Such rights include:

- A free and appropriate education
- A fair and nondiscriminatory evaluation
- Education in the least restrictive environment
- An individualized education programme

In responding to this question, the learner is expected to explain the implications of each right for educational practice

Question 2

Describe educational services available for exceptional learners

Guidance to Question 2

The educational services available for learners with exceptional needs may vary considerably from one country to the other. In responding to this question the learner should describe the services available and describe the effectiveness of these services to learners with exceptional needs. Depending on the country, the services may include availability of:

- Special schools and topics
- Adaptive equipments
- Teachers and support staff
- Special curriculum materials
- Assessment and Therapy Services
- Coordination services
- Vocational Training
- Public education and awareness campaign