Education and school law cover the laws and regulations that govern federal and state education, including the administration and operation of educational institutions, school athletics, instruction methods, programs, and materials. This area of law encompasses issues relating to school faculty, staff, and students, including school discipline and discrimination based on race, color, national original, sex, or disability.
Special education law refers to the laws and regulations that govern the teaching of students with special needs. These needs may be learning or physical disabilities, behavioral problems, talents, or academic aptitude that cannot be satisfied in a regular classroom.
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is the county seat of Greene County. On July 1, 2008, the estimated population was 156,206. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 426,144, and includes the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster. The estimated population inside a 50-mile (80 km) radius of Springfield was 662,587 as of 2009. Springfield is near the population center of the United States, about 80 miles (130 km) to the east. Springfield's nickname is The Queen City of the Ozarks. It is also known as The Cultural Center of the Ozarks, The Gateway to the Ozarks, and The Birthplace of Route 66.