SESSION DETAILS

The words written (or not written) in the Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) section of the IEP can be the difference between winning or losing a due process hearing, resolving a dispute with a parent, and providing FAPE. The IDEA, however, does not define academic achievement or functional performance. Instead, it gives flexibility to IEP teams regarding how to determine and document a student's present levels. Using case law and practical scenarios to underscore the importance of a well-crafted PLAAFP, attorney Dianna Bowen will discuss the legal requirements and best practices for PLAAFPs, including the essential elements, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips for ensuring that the PLAAFP leads to a legally compliant IEP.

So many questions arise when you examine whether a student’s misconduct was a manifestation of disability -- one of which is whether the misconduct was the result of an IEP implementation failure. Attorney Elvin W. Houston will answer your concerns about manifestation determination reviews so that you’ll be clear about what the law requires and what considerations inform the MDR outcome. He will engage you in an entertaining review of cases, guidance, and real scenarios to ensure you’ll know what to expect in an MDR and be able to confidently and meaningfully participate the next time you are part of an MDR team. Distinguish fact from fiction and dispel common MDR myths in Elvin’s investigation of misconduct and disability.

You may think your district responds effectively to complaints of disability-based harassment, but is it using the latest playbook? If not, it may be time for your district to up its game. Join attorney Jose Martín for a replay of case law that will show you exactly when, where, and how other districts fumbled their investigations of alleged bullying incidents. He'll coach you on how to dodge problematic practices like willfully ignoring obvious harassment, disregarding teachers' and parents' red flags, and responding in a manner that makes the situation worse. In addition, Jose will highlight specific actions IEP teams can take to remedy the possible educational effects of peer bullying and prevent disability-related harassment from recurring. If you want to prevent courts and hearing officers from Monday morning quarterbacking your harassment policies, then be sure not to miss this session!

Although special educators tend to be the cream of the crop, they aren't immune to mental and emotional burnout. Thorny situations -- such as hostile interactions with parents and advocates, time-consuming paperwork, and complex IDEA and Section 504 requirements -- may quickly wilt morale. Join attorney Jeremy Neff as he digs deep into the causes of high turnover and the FAPE issues that may sprout from these challenges. He will also unearth relevant cases and practical strategies that will help cultivate a supportive and resilient work environment. Attend this fast-paced discussion to nip staffing issues and related compliance dilemmas in the bud.

The evaluation and re-evaluation procedures of the IDEA are an essential framework upon which FAPE and the creation of an appropriate IEP rests. But how do you guide staff members to use the evaluation and re-evaluation data effectively in an IEP? Attorney Brandon Wright will share solid ways for staff to turn compliant evaluations into model IEPs from present levels to goals to progress monitoring. Brandon will call attention to important court and agency guidance that indicates just how important the evaluation process is and will follow up with practical steps to help your staff craft specially designed instruction based on a sound evaluation or re-evaluation. Leave this session understanding that the evaluation process is the cornerstone of the IEP.

Building students’ social-emotional skills improves their overall well-being and academic success while simultaneously reducing negative responses that could lead to discipline. School attorney and former school psychologist and administrator Cassie Black will explain how to proactively support student behavior through the use of a multi-tiered system of supports that minimizes the need for reactive responses. After reviewing what MTSS actually means and how the proactive, preventative framework fits with IDEA and Section 504 legal requirements, Cassie will furnish you with a blueprint you can supply to educators back home to effectively manage behaviors.

When a student with a disability engages in disciplinary misconduct, several distinct yet overlapping legal requirements immediately kick in: constitutional due process, special procedural protections under the IDEA or Section 504, and, in cases involving sexual misconduct, a host of requirements under the recently revised Title IX regulations. Like an astronaut spinning in a gyroscope, the varying mandates under these legal frameworks often leave school officials in a tailspin, dizzy, confused, and scrambling to figure out a practical "order of operations" that doesn't result in procedural missteps. Attorney Dave Garner will map the requirements of each federal law, clarifying how and when they overlap. He'll then pass on proven strategies to align your disciplinary policies and procedures! Return to base with practical takeaways for compliance.

Back in the day, child find presentations were easy: If in doubt, refer it out! But the world of education has grown more complex, and the lines are not so bright. As general education interventions, MTSS, and individualized instruction become the “norm,” what exactly is specialized instruction for IDEA and Section 504 purposes? Attorney Bobby Truhe will uncover the legal fundamentals of child find, drawing the lines that educators need to know to comply with their obligations to identify, refer, and evaluate. Bobby will map out why child find is legally significant even for students making progress with general education supports. Leave this session with a treasure trove of on-point legal decisions that help define how districts should shape their internal processes and train their staff.

Being on the receiving end of a due process complaint can leave some educators feeling lost. Even with district's counsel acting as a guide, you'll likely have questions about what lies ahead such as: How and when should you respond to the parents' complaint? Will teachers have to testify? Should you offer to settle? Attorney MaryGrace Kittrell will shine a light on the process of due process to help you find your footing. She'll map out the course to follow and share best practices for collaborating and assisting with hearing preparation. What's more, she'll provide a sample hearing preparation calendar and explain how to budget your time from the receipt of the complaint through the start of the hearing. Whether your top concern is the selection and preparation of witnesses or keeping your board of education in the loop, MaryGrace will keep you from getting lost in the legal woods.

Pay for it or fight it? That's just one of the questions districts have to ask when a parent requests an independent educational evaluation at district expense. But how does a district decide whether to defend the appropriateness of its evaluation or just open its wallet? It's not only about the money after all; the district also needs to consider how confident it is in its own assessment and whether it meets (or will meet) established criteria. Meanwhile, federal guidance and recent judicial rulings have made this decision harder by creating confusion over a district’s obligations when parents request an IEE. Attorney Jan Tomsky both answers common IEE questions as well as reviews important IDEA compliance lessons to avoid potential liability and costly disputes. Learn the critical factors to consider when deciding whether to fund an IEE and under what circumstances an IEE meets district criteria with respect to assessors, location, cost, and more. Jan also will explain the IEP team's obligation to consider an IEE.

Students are using ChatGPT to write papers. Teachers are using Copilot to write lessons. Lawyers are using Drafting Assistant to write legal briefs. Why not use generative AI to write IEPs? Attorney Stephanie Jones will explore the potential and risks of artificial intelligence in IEP writing as well as legal issues that might arise with AI systems. Whether it's student privacy, accuracy, or goal writing that's preventing your district from embracing this new technology, Stephanie will explain how to harness this transformational tool while still adding that personal touch.

One of the most common challenges new and seasoned special educators struggle with in the classroom is behavior management. In this full-day workshop, behavioral expert Dr. Joe Ryan will introduce you to a host of valuable evidence-based behavioral interventions to promote pro-social behaviors and decrease maladaptive behaviors in even the most challenging students. First, learn what makes a behavioral intervention effective and identify common pitfalls that can make an intervention unsuccessful or dangerous. Next, discover the building blocks of a strong behavior management plan that will make for a peaceful learning environment. Joe will provide tools to reduce staff stress levels and promote retention. You'll return to your school prepared to share and implement proven, evidence-based practices, a new catalog of positive interventions to employ, plus a behavior management plan that you can personalize to best meet the needs of your students.

Determining who qualifies as an eligible "student with a disability" under the IDEA and Section 504 can be difficult. While the standards under each law are distinct, they sometimes seem to overlap. Attorney Betsey Helfrich will take a deep dive into special education eligibility standards to help you develop clear processes to meet child find obligation, conduct appropriate and comprehensive evaluations, and determine if students are eligible under the IDEA or Section 504. Betsey will walk you through eligibility criteria and standards for each law and untangle the overlap between them. The result will be a solid eligibility determination that your district can stand behind.

Because implementation failures are common, they can cost districts a lot in terms of time and resources. The good news is they are often avoidable. Attorney Kari Moneyhun will identify the top reasons for Section 504 plan implementation failures and how to prevent them from tripping up staff in your district. Drawing on important cases, she'll provide the necessary tools to consistently and effectively provide students' 504 services, including how to use documentation to ensure implementation and what steps to take should you receive a complaint.

Prior written notice is a key ingredient for IDEA compliance, but educators may not always have the right recipe. Because a lack of effective notice may spoil parent participation during the IEP process, districts must ensure they do extra prep work to prevent denials of FAPE related to PWN. Addressing this topic from both a legal and practical angle, attorney Ron Stadler will serve up everything you need to know about PWN. He will clarify when PWN is required and what it must contain, whether PWN can be sent electronically, and exceptions to the IDEA's timelines. Ron will also sift through relevant cases to answer your most burning questions, such as who is responsible for sending PWN and whether you can send an IEP in place of PWN. Use this session to cure your PWN woes and stockpile best practices that your teams will want to poach.

With the number of students seeking instruction at home on the rise, schools must be aware of the legal challenges posed by serving students in this very restrictive setting. Attorney Dave Richards will analyze IDEA and Section 504 requirements for these students, including the appropriate role of doctors and medical information in homebound decisions, ways to individualize appropriate services, and methods to ensure implementation of the student's IEP/504 plan once it's developed. You'll also get Dave's expert insights on how to handle extracurricular activities and the possibility of truancy when a student fails to attend instruction at home. Gain an understanding of how to plan for the student's re-entry to school from the inception of home instruction and the evolving role of technology in enhancing the student's interaction with the brick-and-mortar experience. Questions are encouraged!

No educator sets out to deprive students with disabilities of the special education services required by their IEPs. Still, implementation failures can and do happen all the time. Misunderstandings about IEP requirements, personnel shortages, and student refusal of services can all derail a district's well-intentioned efforts to provide FAPE. Attorney David Hodgins knows just how to get your district's implementation efforts back on track. He'll cover the legal requirements for IEP implementation and use case law to give real-world examples of where other districts went off course. David will also signal ways to improve IEP implementation, including techniques for training staff on their specific obligations. Climb aboard to keep your district's implementation efforts running as smoothly as possible.

Executive functioning encompasses the mental processes that enable students to plan, focus, remember instructions, and multitask successfully. Focusing on key case law decisions, attorney Jonathan Read analyzes how the IEP team addresses a student’s executive functioning deficits. He'll take you step by step through the process from identifying executive functioning deficits and determining IDEA eligibility to designing appropriate, individualized programming. In particular, Jonathan will address the adequacy of assessments, goals, services, placements, and postsecondary transition plans for students with executive functioning needs. Take home a notebook of tips to avoid mistakes that may lead to costly, time-consuming litigation.

Special education has become increasingly stressful and adversarial. Various social factors have combined to create a culture in America in which high emotions, obstructionism, and even personal attacks are regarded by some as advocacy tactics. It's not uncommon for special educators to face excessive and overbearing communications, outright bullying, threats of litigation, and unprofessional behavior in team meetings. The goal of the IDEA, however, is collaboration, and students are served best when all team members can work together. Attorney Claire Parsons will explain how educators can respond to aggressive methods in a balanced, but assertive, manner to ensure compliance with IDEA requirements and a defensible position if litigation cannot be avoided.

While we know districts are mandated to place students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment, making a sound, individualized LRE determination is much harder than it seems. Each placement decision requires an individual analysis of a student's progress and receipt of FAPE. Allow attorney Deanna Arivett to steer you through the muddy waters and clear up the confusion. Deanna will help you recognize the LRE standard in your state and outfit you with the tools required to conduct a legally defensible, individualized LRE determination. She'll also sift through what went wrong in real LRE cases so that you know the solutions to finding appropriate placements among the continuum of options and reach LRE decisions that are watertight.

What should you do when a 5-year-old student with a disability inappropriately touches a classmate? Although improper sexual behaviors in young children may be alarming, they are occurring more and more frequently. Using her decades of experience in assisting students with behavioral disabilities, Beverley H. Johns will break down why and how inappropriate sexual behavior may manifest in children at various ages. She'll develop a clear roadmap for addressing inappropriate sexual conduct in the classroom, including specific interventions to add to students' BIPs and suggestions on how to balance the LRE mandate when restrictive supervision is necessary. Don't get caught off guard! Use Beverley's insights to prepare your staff, bolster your policies and procedures, and importantly, keep your students safe.

Do you feel panic and dread when your district receives a state complaint? Are you unsure how to effectively respond while still managing your other obligations? Seasoned complaint investigator Robin Day is here to help. Robin will prepare you to file a sound response while concurrently leading staff through a state complaint investigation without unnecessary stress. In addition to pointing out the key procedural requirements, she'll clarify the important differences between state complaints and due process hearings. You leave this session knowing how to avoid common mistakes, address unexpected issues that may arise, and the options for resolving a complaint without an investigation. Don't miss this opportunity to gather tools and techniques for effectively and efficiently responding to state complaints.

The IDEA makes parents key players on the IEP team, including parents whose native language is not English. Attorney Courtney Stillman will communicate how to afford parents with limited English proficiency an opportunity to meaningfully participate in the IEP process to increase collaboration and offer FAPE. By decoding what Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the IDEA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act have to say about obtaining informed consent, meeting required timelines, and providing language assistance, Courtney will set your teams up for success. Plus, she’ll share a game plan for holding IEP meetings with qualified interpreters and identifying the documents the district must translate.

Inclusion is a hot-button issue in special education, as the law requires that districts place students in the general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate to address their needs. To meet this requirement, Dr. Derek Ihori will provide strategies to help your team develop and customize an inclusion model to meet your individual school or district's needs and culture. These strategies will include how to evaluate the feasibility of a large-scale inclusion model, obtain buy-in from stakeholders, create an individualized model based on stakeholder input, train staff, provide services, and navigate internal political challenges. With these tools, you will return to your district ready to develop inclusive programs that are accepted by your staff and community.

Students are using ChatGPT to write papers. Teachers are using Copilot to write lessons. Lawyers are using Drafting Assistant to write legal briefs. Why not use generative AI to write IEPs? Attorney Stephanie Jones will explore the potential and risks of artificial intelligence in IEP writing as well as legal issues that might arise with AI systems. Whether it's student privacy, accuracy, or goal writing that's preventing your district from embracing this new technology, Stephanie will explain how to harness this transformational tool while still adding that personal touch.

The evaluation and re-evaluation procedures of the IDEA are an essential framework upon which FAPE and the creation of an appropriate IEP rests. But how do you guide staff members to use the evaluation and re-evaluation data effectively in an IEP? Attorney Brandon Wright will share solid ways for staff to turn compliant evaluations into model IEPs from present levels to goals to progress monitoring. Brandon will call attention to important court and agency guidance that indicates just how important the evaluation process is and will follow up with practical steps to help your staff craft specially designed instruction based on a sound evaluation or re-evaluation. Leave this session understanding that the evaluation process is the cornerstone of the IEP.

It's easy to love Special Ed Connection?. With a click of a button, Special Ed Connection? keeps you up to date with the latest in special education and helps maximize your district's compliance with federal disability laws. Don't go through the motions with old forms and outdated information: Let attorney Jordan Johnson walk you through the 10 best things about Special Ed Connection? and how a subscription can leave you with that XO feeling! His tips and tricks on navigating the site and retrieving relevant legal resources are sure to leave you on cloud nine. Whether you currently have a subscription or are only considering one, he will demonstrate the various search capabilities that facilitate high-quality legal research. Bring your laptops and questions for Jordan!

For years, schools have struggled to find legal and practical ways to comply with the vast and vague obligations imposed by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and its implementing regulations. This struggle has been exacerbated by a lack of clarity regarding the services owed to students with mental health needs and a significant shift in the needs of students previously considered only "technically" eligible. Fortunately, with the information and resources on Special Ed Connection, users can be assured they have the support they need to keep up with the ever-evolving expectations imposed by Section 504. Join attorney Jordan Johnson in this interactive session to discover tools to familiarize yourself with the obligations of Section 504 and methods to keep your district in compliance. Jordan will also spotlight ready-to-use forms to assist teams in developing and implementing compliant 504 plans and content you can turn to for professional development activities all year long.

Confidently rely on general education teachers to help develop and implement IEPs and Section 504 plans with tested tactics from attorney Laura Anthony. Laura will point out the provisions of the law that govern and define the role of general education teachers and how their actions or inactions can land districts in legal hot water. Through an inspection of cases, administrative decisions, and guidance, she'll assemble a playbook of ways to coach your gen ed teammates on the importance of providing students with disabilities accommodations and access to the general education curriculum. You'll establish principles to strengthen the relationship between general and special educators so that everyone is on common ground.

Although special educators tend to be the cream of the crop, they aren't immune to mental and emotional burnout. Thorny situations -- such as hostile interactions with parents and advocates, time-consuming paperwork, and complex IDEA and Section 504 requirements -- may quickly wilt morale. Join Attorney Jeremy Neff as he digs deep into the causes of high turnover and the FAPE issues that may sprout from these challenges. He will also unearth relevant cases and practical strategies that will help cultivate a supportive and resilient work environment. Attend this fast-paced discussion to nip staffing issues and related compliance dilemmas in the bud.

Don’t trick yourself into believing you have your role as school psychologist all figured out. With nationwide shortages of school personnel and an increase in student behavior and mental health needs, school psychologists are more important than ever. In this problem-solving session, attorney Laura Anthony will address common legal issues that impact school psychologists today. Using real life scenarios, she will lead a conversation about the confidentiality of test protocols, DSM diagnoses, manifestation determination reviews, and requests from private mental health providers. Find out how to best explain findings and recommendations to staff and parents, as well as how to prepare when called as a witness in due process hearings. Psych yourself up to join in this dialogue with your colleagues!

The IDEA makes parents key players on the IEP team, including parents whose native language is not English. Attorney Courtney Stillman will communicate how to afford parents with limited English proficiency an opportunity to meaningfully participate in the IEP process to increase collaboration and offer FAPE. By decoding what Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the IDEA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act have to say about obtaining informed consent, meeting required timelines, and providing language assistance, Courtney will set your teams up for success. Plus, she’ll share a game plan for holding IEP meetings with qualified interpreters and identifying the documents the district must translate.

Being on the receiving end of a due process complaint can leave some educators feeling lost. Even with district's counsel acting as a guide, you'll likely have questions about what lies ahead such as: How and when should you respond to the parents' complaint? Will teachers have to testify? Should you offer to settle? Attorney MaryGrace Kittrell will shine a light on the process of due process to help you find your footing. She'll map out the course to follow and share best practices for collaborating and assisting with hearing preparation. What's more, she'll provide a sample hearing preparation calendar and explain how to budget your time from the receipt of the complaint through the start of the hearing. Whether your top concern is the selection and preparation of witnesses or keeping your board of education in the loop, MaryGrace will keep you from getting lost in the legal woods.

You've heard plenty about chronic absenteeism plaguing schools nationwide. It is a primary cause of low academic achievement and a powerful predictor of which students will eventually drop out of school. Even sporadic absences can significantly hinder the progress of students with disabilities, and it is nearly impossible to provide FAPE when truancy and excessive absenteeism prevents a child from accessing the educational environment. While not all absenteeism stems from a disability, IEP teams are compelled by law to investigate and address student attendance. Join attorney Geneva Jones as she explores the causes of school refusal and chronic absenteeism, including factors that interfere with student attendance. Geneva will highlight specific special education laws and court cases, pointing out the obligations that fall on the school and IEP team and providing real ways to address absenteeism and improve student outcomes.

One of the most common challenges new and seasoned special educators struggle with in the classroom is behavior management. In this full-day workshop, behavioral expert Dr. Joe Ryan will introduce you to a host of valuable evidence-based behavioral interventions to promote pro-social behaviors and decrease maladaptive behaviors in even the most challenging students. First, learn what makes a behavioral intervention effective and identify common pitfalls that can make an intervention unsuccessful or dangerous. Next, discover the building blocks of a strong behavior management plan that will make for a peaceful learning environment. Joe will provide tools to reduce staff stress levels and promote retention. You'll return to your school prepared to share and implement proven, evidence-based practices, a new catalog of positive interventions to employ, plus a behavior management plan that you can personalize to best meet the needs of your students.

Building students’ social-emotional skills improves their overall well-being and academic success while simultaneously reducing negative responses that could lead to discipline. School attorney and former school psychologist and administrator Cassie Black will explain how to proactively support student behavior through the use of a multi-tiered system of supports that minimizes the need for reactive responses. After reviewing what MTSS actually means and how the proactive, preventative framework fits with IDEA and Section 504 legal requirements, Cassie will furnish you with a blueprint you can supply to educators back home to effectively manage behaviors.

When a student with a disability engages in disciplinary misconduct, several distinct yet overlapping legal requirements immediately kick in: constitutional due process, special procedural protections under the IDEA or Section 504, and, in cases involving sexual misconduct, a host of requirements under the recently revised Title IX regulations. Like an astronaut spinning in a gyroscope, the varying mandates under these legal frameworks often leave school officials in a tailspin, dizzy, confused, and scrambling to figure out a practical "order of operations" that doesn't result in procedural missteps. Attorney Dave Garner will map the requirements of each federal law, clarifying how and when they overlap. He'll then pass on proven strategies to align your disciplinary policies and procedures! Return to base with practical takeaways for compliance.

What should you do when a 5-year-old student with a disability inappropriately touches a classmate? Although improper sexual behaviors in young children may be alarming, they are occurring more and more frequently. Using her decades of experience in assisting students with behavioral disabilities, Beverley H. Johns will break down why and how inappropriate sexual behavior may manifest in children at various ages. She'll develop a clear roadmap for addressing inappropriate sexual conduct in the classroom, including specific interventions to add to students' BIPs and suggestions on how to balance the LRE mandate when restrictive supervision is necessary. Don't get caught off guard! Use Beverley's insights to prepare your staff, bolster your policies and procedures, and importantly, keep your students safe.

Appropriately responding to threats is complicated, especially when it involves a student with a disability. Educators must balance school safety and the rights of the student under federal disability laws. While it may be difficult to walk the line, it's not impossible. Let attorney Samantha Lewis show you how to cover all the bases. She'll highlight tried and true techniques in creating and implementing effective threat assessment protocols, including factors to consider when assessing threats by special education students. Samantha will also reveal how to preserve FAPE during the threat assessment process, including when to conduct an MDR and the types of behavioral supports that may be effective for students who communicate threats. Using real-world examples to drive lessons home, Samantha will prepare you for identifying critical actions that need to be taken to stop violence before it occurs.

So many questions arise when you examine whether a student’s misconduct was a manifestation of disability -- one of which is whether the misconduct was the result of an IEP implementation failure. Attorney Elvin W. Houston will answer your concerns about manifestation determination reviews so that you’ll be clear about what the law requires and what considerations inform the MDR outcome. He will engage you in an entertaining review of cases, guidance, and real scenarios to ensure you’ll know what to expect in an MDR and be able to confidently and meaningfully participate the next time you are part of an MDR team. Distinguish fact from fiction and dispel common MDR myths in Elvin’s investigation of misconduct and disability.

The need for formal and informal investigations arises daily in schools, whether in responding to allegations of bullying, determining appropriate discipline, or ferreting out IDEA compliance. By using a systemic approach based on the scientific method, administrators can pose questions to investigate, make predictions, gather and analyze data, and draw solid, unbiased conclusions that lead to a just result. Attorney Collins Saint will equip educators with practical strategies to conduct thorough and fair investigations, blending legal questioning tactics with the scientific method. He'll clarify just how to address unique issues affecting students with disabilities, including limited cognitive capacity, communication deficits, disability-based behaviors, closely involved parents, and emotional dysregulation concerns. Discover solid investigative techniques that ensure a comprehensive understanding of concerns, fostering a safe and inclusive school environment.

Erin Gruwell is an acclaimed teacher, author, podcaster, and activist dedicated to championing equity and social justice. She first captured national attention through an ABC Primetime Live special where she and her 150 students, known as the Freedom Writers, shared their transformation from adversity to triumph. Their journey was chronicled in the book The Freedom Writers Diary, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into the major motion picture starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank as Erin. Erin will describe how she transformed her classroom into a community of learners who supported each other and how special educators can inspire their students and develop an environment filled with trust and communication.

Educators, parents, and attorneys alike know that due process disputes may arise, but few have participated in a due process hearing. Join attorneys Karen Haase and Bobby Truhe for their signature energetic and fun-filled presentation covering everything you need to know about due process. They'll guide you through each step — from the minute the district receives notice of the filing to preparation, testimony, and the hearing officer's findings. Through interactive demonstrations from actual due process proceedings, Karen and Bobby will resolve uncertainties and ensure your team is prepared for success. Bring your questions and willingness to collaborate on practical strategies to prepare for litigation. Leave empowered and equipped to deal with due process with a list of dos and don'ts about IEPs, PWN, meeting notes, and more. You'll be able to rest assured that your team is prepared to support its decisions, defend a dispute, and testify at the hearing.

Is your team frustrated with what often feels like an emphasis on paperwork over instruction? Don’t allow the tidal wave of paperwork get you into hot water. Swim through documentation requirements with practical strategies offered by attorney Robin Day and school psychologist Kelly Raf. They'll throw you a lifeline -- to help you avoid the riptide of special education paperwork and streamline its completion. Robin and Kelly will share current legal guidance on developing procedurally compliant meeting notices, PWNs, and IEPs, as well as how to take effective meeting minutes. They'll divulge tips for spotting frequent errors and providing constructive feedback to help staff break bad habits. Backstroke to your district with buckets of training material to ensure staff completes paperwork efficiently and knowing watertight documentation will minimize liability. Your staff can take time to come up for air and focus on what they do best -- serving students.

Sometimes the IEP team's choice of words, the contents of the IEP, or the actions of team members can mean the difference between reaching a consensus, resolving a dispute with parents, or winning or losing a due process hearing. Join attorney Dianna Bowen to learn about how courts and hearing officers are interpreting the required components of an IEP, evaluating appropriate means of documenting IEP team meeting decisions, and addressing parent requests and concerns to ensure parent participation in the process. Through interactive examples, you will learn how to identify common mistakes in IEP documentation and during IEP meetings and how to avoid them. Dianna will guide you through the steps for a legally compliant IEP meeting and analyze the requirements for compliant documentation and just like a picture, learn how to create an IEP worth a 1,000 words!

Due process hearings are costly. A school system may incur upwards of $100,000 in legal fees to defend them. Additionally, school boards are responsible for paying a prevailing parent’s attorney’s fees. Teachers may also leave the school system after enduring the stress of preparing for and testifying at a due process hearing. With such high stakes, it is imperative that schools are proactive in their efforts to duck the preventable due process actions, and to be defensible when a due process action cannot be avoided. In this interactive session, school attorneys Rachel Hitch and Rachel Nicholas will identify key procedural considerations to help avoid due process actions and to be defensible if a due process action is filed. They will share the key considerations that should drive an IEP team’s decision-making and provide examples from case law of common claims districts find themselves defending including child find, progress monitoring, and student discipline. Fly back to the nest with practical pointers for self-correcting common mistakes and avoiding due process pitfalls. Glean key considerations for what to do after a due process action is filed from the experiences of two school attorneys. Attendees will leave the session with practical pointers to ensure IEP team decisions are ducky and defensible, whether it's duck-hunting season or not.

The words written (or not written) in the Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) section of the IEP can be the difference between winning or losing a due process hearing, resolving a dispute with a parent, and providing FAPE. The IDEA, however, does not define academic achievement or functional performance. Instead, it gives flexibility to IEP teams regarding how to determine and document a student's present levels. Using case law and practical scenarios to underscore the importance of a well-crafted PLAAFP, attorney Dianna Bowen will discuss the legal requirements and best practices for PLAAFPs, including the essential elements, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips for ensuring that the PLAAFP leads to a legally compliant IEP.

Executive functioning encompasses the mental processes that enable students to plan, focus, remember instructions, and multitask successfully. Focusing on key case law decisions, attorney Jonathan Read analyzes how the IEP team addresses a student’s executive functioning deficits. He'll take you step by step through the process from identifying executive functioning deficits and determining IDEA eligibility to designing appropriate, individualized programming. In particular, Jonathan will address the adequacy of assessments, goals, services, placements, and postsecondary transition plans for students with executive functioning needs. Take home a notebook of tips to avoid mistakes that may lead to costly, time-consuming litigation.

Due to lightning-fast advances in technology and the rise of virtual learning, districts must reassess how they address the transition needs of students with disabilities. Attorney Brandon Wright will explore recent legal trends and present useful tips for IEP teams aiming to develop IDEA-compliant transition goals and services for older students. After a quick review of services and experiences that students may be entitled to during the period of transition, he'll identify best practices to allow a seamless transition from school to post-school activities and show what transition services should look like. Don't miss this session for ways to reboot IEP processes and avoid obsolete practices that may result in a denial of FAPE.

No educator sets out to deprive students with disabilities of the special education services required by their IEPs. Still, implementation failures can and do happen all the time. Misunderstandings about IEP requirements, personnel shortages, and student refusal of services can all derail a district's well-intentioned efforts to provide FAPE. Attorney David Hodgins knows just how to get your district's implementation efforts back on track. He'll cover the legal requirements for IEP implementation and use case law to give real-world examples of where other districts went off course. David will also signal ways to improve IEP implementation, including techniques for training staff on their specific obligations. Climb aboard to keep your district's implementation efforts running as smoothly as possible.

Pay for it or fight it? That's just one of the questions districts have to ask when a parent requests an independent educational evaluation at district expense. But how does a district decide whether to defend the appropriateness of its evaluation or just open its wallet? It's not only about the money after all; the district also needs to consider how confident it is in its own assessment and whether it meets (or will meet) established criteria. Meanwhile, federal guidance and recent judicial rulings have made this decision harder by creating confusion over a district’s obligations when parents request an IEE. Attorney Jan Tomsky both answers common IEE questions as well as reviews important IDEA compliance lessons to avoid potential liability and costly disputes. Learn the critical factors to consider when deciding whether to fund an IEE and under what circumstances an IEE meets district criteria with respect to assessors, location, cost, and more. Jan also will explain the IEP team's obligation to consider an IEE.

Prior written notice is a key ingredient for IDEA compliance, but educators may not always have the right recipe. Because a lack of effective notice may spoil parent participation during the IEP process, districts must ensure they do extra prep work to prevent denials of FAPE related to PWN. Addressing this topic from both a legal and practical angle, Attorney Ron Stadler will serve up everything you need to know about PWN. He will clarify when PWN is required and what it must contain, whether PWN can be sent electronically, and exceptions to the IDEA's timelines. Ron will also sift through relevant cases to answer your most burning questions, such as who is responsible for sending PWN and whether you can send an IEP in place of PWN. Use this session to cure your PWN woes and stockpile best practices that your teams will want to poach.

Since 2008, the IDEA regulations have allowed parents to revoke their original consent to placement and have their child exited from special education altogether. Although this happens rarely, when it does occur, it raises significant legal questions. Attorney Jose Martín will answer these questions plus detail what steps the school must take when parents revoke consent. He'll touch on post-revocation prior written notice, the potential residual legal rights of these students under Section 504, and the re-entry process if parents change their minds. Jose will also explain a school's continuing IDEA child-find obligation after revocation of consent, highlighting common factual scenarios. You'll grasp the ins and outs of revocation of consent after this session and leave with samples of PWNs and post-revocation letters to ensure compliance.

You may think your district responds effectively to complaints of disability-based harassment, but is it using the latest playbook? If not, it may be time for your district to up its game. Join attorney Jose Martín for a replay of case law that will show you exactly when, where, and how other districts fumbled their investigations of alleged bullying incidents. He'll coach you on how to dodge problematic practices like willfully ignoring obvious harassment, disregarding teachers' and parents' red flags, and responding in a manner that makes the situation worse. In addition, Jose will highlight specific actions IEP teams can take to remedy the possible educational effects of peer bullying and prevent disability-related harassment from recurring. If you want to prevent courts and hearing officers from Monday morning quarterbacking your harassment policies, then be sure not to miss this session!

Special education has become increasingly stressful and adversarial. Various social factors have combined to create a culture in America in which high emotions, obstructionism, and even personal attacks are regarded by some as advocacy tactics. It's not uncommon for special educators to face excessive and overbearing communications, outright bullying, threats of litigation, and unprofessional behavior in team meetings. The goal of the IDEA, however, is collaboration, and students are served best when all team members can work together. Attorney Claire Parsons will explain how educators can respond to aggressive methods in a balanced, but assertive, manner to ensure compliance with IDEA requirements and a defensible position if litigation cannot be avoided.

Dyslexia -- the most common learning disability -- remains one of the hottest topics in special education. Through an examination of the law, the latest guidance, and selected recent court and due process decisions, attorney Jonathan Read will focus on the most problematic issues for IEP teams in determining eligibility, drafting appropriate measurable goals, and providing services for students diagnosed with dyslexia. He’ll identify important lessons for educators when it comes to discussing methodologies along with several practical compliance takeaways, including the standards for evaluating a student for dyslexia and determining eligibility for services.

While we know districts are mandated to place students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment, making a sound, individualized LRE determination is much harder than it seems. Each placement decision requires an individual analysis of a student's progress and receipt of FAPE. Allow attorney Deanna Arivett to steer you through the muddy waters and clear up the confusion. Deanna will help you recognize the LRE standard in your state and outfit you with the tools required to conduct a legally defensible, individualized LRE determination. She'll also sift through what went wrong in real LRE cases so that you know the solutions to finding appropriate placements among the continuum of options and reach LRE decisions that are watertight.

It's common for parents of students with disabilities to request specific methodologies in their children's IEPs. Whether it's Lindamood-Bell instruction for a student with a specific learning disability or applied behavioral analysis for a child with autism, many parents want a say in how their child will learn. But can naming a specific methodology in an IEP complicate a district's efforts to provide FAPE? Attorney Marcy Gutierrez will help you work out a solution to this sometimes-tricky puzzle. Taking clues from judicial rulings, she'll help you work out when to include a specific methodology in a student's IEP and when to leave that question unanswered. In addition, Marcy will highlight the pros and cons of including a specific methodology in the IEP. Don't get stumped by questions about instructional techniques; let Marcy show you how find the correct solution every time.

Special education staff are often frustrated when parents don’t understand data or the IEP and won’t support the team’s recommendations. While the IDEA contains a host of parental rights and protections to facilitate participation in the IEP process, they don't necessarily help parents to understand special education law or recognize the considerable efforts of staff on the student’s behalf. Attorney Dave Richards shares lessons learned from doctor-patient studies to ensure meaningful parent participation in the IEP process and, by analogy, how your team can apply them to relationships with parents. These tested and proven strategies promise to enhance school staffers' understanding of complex medical issues, improve implementation of treatment recommendations and protocols, and elevate school IDEA compliance. You'll leave this session ready to build stronger, trusting relationships with parents and ensure their participation in decision-making for their child is meaningful. Doctor's orders!

Requests for inclusion and mainstreaming are on the rise, but what exactly does this mean? When there's a conflict between a district's responsibility to provide students FAPE and to do so in the least restrictive environment, does one requirement trump the other? Districts need to know if they are required to offer specific programs and services to provide a continuum of services and if they must play through all options on the continuum before recommending a more restrictive placement. Attorney Cassie Black will connect current trends, case law, and best practices to guide IEP teams in making a placement decision that is on par with the IDEA. She'll share takeaways including the necessary documentation to shore up the team's determination and how to get buy-in from general education staff.

In today's educational landscape, an increasing number of students experience mental health issues and trauma that impact their learning and behavior. Understanding the intersection of mental health, trauma, and special education is crucial for educators and mental health professionals alike. Special education administrator Stacey Heiligenthaler will explore the complexities involved in identifying when mental health issues and trauma-related behaviors necessitate special education services. She'll share insights into assessment strategies that accurately evaluate student needs, key legal considerations under the IDEA and Section 504, and practical interventions that reveal signs of mental health issues and trauma and determine eligibility for special education services.

Brush up on your ethics obligations while representing special education clients. Attorney Ron Stadler will remind you of the ethical requirements surrounding your communication and relationship with parents, advocates, parent attorneys, and others. Then, he’ll review the Model Rules to ensure you recognize the restrictions, guidelines, and limits on your interactions with families, advocates, and staff. Ron will also point out how self-promotion in seeking new clients has ethical limits.

Back in the day, child find presentations were easy: If in doubt, refer it out! But the world of education has grown more complex, and the lines are not so bright. As general education interventions, MTSS, and individualized instruction become the “norm,” what exactly is specialized instruction for IDEA and Section 504 purposes? Attorney Bobby Truhe will uncover the legal fundamentals of child find, drawing the lines that educators need to know to comply with their obligations to identify, refer, and evaluate. Bobby will map out why child find is legally significant even for students making progress with general education supports. Leave this session with a treasure trove of on-point legal decisions that help define how districts should shape their internal processes and train their staff.

Because implementation failures are common, they can cost districts a lot in terms of time and resources. The good news is they are often avoidable. Attorney Kari Moneyhun will identify the top reasons for Section 504 plan implementation failures and how to prevent them from tripping up staff in your district. Drawing on important cases, she'll provide the necessary tools to consistently and effectively provide students' 504 services, including how to use documentation to ensure implementation and what steps to take should you receive a complaint.

Special educators know that learning isn't "one-size-fits-all," especially for children with disabilities. Certain students with behavioral, mental health, and severe medical needs may need something more tailored than a traditional school day. Unmeasured alterations to a student's schedule or curriculum, however, may quickly lead to a denial of FAPE. So, how can educators iron out the wrinkles when they believe a student needs significant adjustments to her program? Attorney Jeremy Neff will show educators how to stitch together appropriate curricular changes by considering students' individual circumstances. He will highlight key lessons and sound strategies from case law that will help you seamlessly balance the needs of the student, the interests of your district, and federal requirements. Weave your way to legal compliance with Jeremy's tips to ensure your teams don't accidentally skirt Section 504 and IDEA requirements regarding shortened school days and other curricular changes.

With the number of students seeking instruction at home on the rise, schools must be aware of the legal challenges posed by serving students in this very restrictive setting. Attorney Dave Richards will analyze IDEA and Section 504 requirements for these students, including the appropriate role of doctors and medical information in homebound decisions, ways to individualize appropriate services, and methods to ensure implementation of the student's IEP/504 plan once it's developed. You'll also get Dave's expert insights on how to handle extracurricular activities and the possibility of truancy when a student fails to attend instruction at home. Gain an understanding of how to plan for the student's re-entry to school from the inception of home instruction and the evolving role of technology in enhancing the student's interaction with the brick-and-mortar experience. Questions are encouraged!

Determining who qualifies as an eligible "student with a disability" under the IDEA and Section 504 can be difficult. While the standards under each law are distinct, they sometimes seem to overlap. Attorney Betsey Helfrich will take a deep dive into special education eligibility standards to help you develop clear processes to meet child find obligation, conduct appropriate and comprehensive evaluations, and determine if students are eligible under the IDEA or Section 504. Betsey will walk you through eligibility criteria and standards for each law and untangle the overlap between them. The result will be a solid eligibility determination that your district can stand behind.

Stress management is an important skill for all lawyers, especially special education attorneys. Anyone familiar with special education procedures, however, may wonder whether stress management is really possible. But there are ways to manage stress in a healthy and effective way. Research shows that the way we respond to stress can determine how it affects us. Attorney Claire Parsons will clarify just what stress is and why it affects your work as a lawyer. She will then propose ways to respond to stress in ways that promote your health and well-being, efficacy as an attorney, and compliance with the Model Rules. Don't miss her tips to tame stress.

During this session we will focus on the wealth of ready-made charts, activities, and ready-to-use tools on Special Ed Connection. From You Be the Judge to SEL Skill Builder to Alphabet Soup, come learn how these features, and many others, will save you time when preparing for in-house professional development and staff trainings.

Here's your chance to learn about some of the most indispensable tips, tools, and shortcuts on Special Ed Connection, including some hidden gems you may not be aware of!  From Hotlaws to Case Files to Roundups...make sure you're taking advantage of everything on the site that will save you time and effort in handling your day-to-day responsibilities. 

Don't have time to search Special Ed Connection?  Join us to discover the plethora of resources that are at your fingertips and can be found with just a click or two.  You'll get an overview of the site so you're aware of all the different resources available to you and how to use them.

Are you an attorney? Does your district face numerous legal challenges each school year? Join us for this interactive session that will show you the most efficient ways to conduct legal research on Special Ed Connection.

Take your professional development planning to the next level. During this advanced workshop you will learn how to use resources on Special Ed Connection to create activities, games, and puzzles for staff professional development. This will be a hands-on “make & take” session so bring your laptop or tablet!

What do I do when a parent refuses to attend an IEP meeting? What types of impairments meet the definition of a specific learning disability? How do I determine if a bus suspension qualifies as a change in placement? Find out how to use the features and resources on Special Ed Connection to get answers to your most challenging special education questions.

Join school attorney Karen Haase for a lively review of the year’s most impactful judicial and administrative decisions in special education. This fast-paced session will keep you engaged as you discover the legal trends shaping the field, all set to the tune of pop music's greatest hits. Get ready to learn and hum along to the legal highlights from 2024 that every special education professional needs to know!

Do you feel panic and dread when your district receives a state complaint? Are you unsure how to effectively respond while still managing your other obligations? Seasoned complaint investigator Robin Day is here to help. Robin will prepare you to file a sound response while concurrently leading staff through a state complaint investigation without unnecessary stress. In addition to pointing out the key procedural requirements, she'll clarify the important differences between state complaints and due process hearings. You leave this session knowing how to avoid common mistakes, address unexpected issues that may arise, and the options for resolving a complaint without an investigation. Don't miss this opportunity to gather tools and techniques for effectively and efficiently responding to state complaints.

Since 2008, the IDEA regulations have allowed parents to revoke their original consent to placement and have their child exited from special education altogether. Although this happens rarely, when it does occur, it raises significant legal questions. Attorney Jose Martín will answer these questions plus detail what steps the school must take when parents revoke consent. He'll touch on post-revocation prior written notice, the potential residual legal rights of these students under Section 504, and the re-entry process if parents change their minds. Jose will also explain a school's continuing IDEA child-find obligation after revocation of consent, highlighting common factual scenarios. You'll grasp the ins and outs of revocation of consent after this session and leave with samples of PWNs and post-revocation letters to ensure compliance.

Don’t trick yourself into believing you have your role as school psychologist all figured out. With nationwide shortages of school personnel and an increase in student behavior and mental health needs, school psychologists are more important than ever. In this problem-solving session, attorney Laura Anthony will address common legal issues that impact school psychologists today. Using real life scenarios, she will lead a conversation about the confidentiality of test protocols, DSM diagnoses, manifestation determination reviews, and requests from private mental health providers. Find out how to best explain findings and recommendations to staff and parents, as well as how to prepare when called as a witness in due process hearings. Psych yourself up to join in this dialogue with your colleagues!

Due to lightning-fast advances in technology and the rise of virtual learning, districts must reassess how they address the transition needs of students with disabilities. Attorney Brandon Wright will explore recent legal trends and present useful tips for IEP teams aiming to develop IDEA-compliant transition goals and services for older students. After a quick review of services and experiences that students may be entitled to during the period of transition, he'll identify best practices to allow a seamless transition from school to post-school activities and show what transition services should look like. Don't miss this session for ways to reboot IEP processes and avoid obsolete practices that may result in a denial of FAPE.

Special educators know that learning isn't "one-size-fits-all," especially for children with disabilities. Certain students with behavioral, mental health, and severe medical needs may need something more tailored than a traditional school day. Unmeasured alterations to a student's schedule or curriculum, however, may quickly lead to a denial of FAPE. So, how can educators iron out the wrinkles when they believe a student needs significant adjustments to her program? Attorney Jeremy Neff will show educators how to stitch together appropriate curricular changes by considering students' individual circumstances. He will highlight key lessons and sound strategies from case law that will help you seamlessly balance the needs of the student, the interests of your district, and federal requirements. Weave your way to legal compliance with Jeremy's tips to ensure your teams don't accidentally skirt Section 504 and IDEA requirements regarding shortened school days and other curricular changes.

Confidently rely on general education teachers to help develop and implement IEPs and Section 504 plans with tested tactics from attorney Laura Anthony. Laura will point out the provisions of the law that govern and define the role of general education teachers and how their actions or inactions can land districts in legal hot water. Through an inspection of cases, administrative decisions, and guidance, she'll assemble a playbook of ways to coach your gen ed teammates on the importance of providing students with disabilities accommodations and access to the general education curriculum. You'll establish principles to strengthen the relationship between general and special educators so that everyone is on common ground.

It's common for parents of students with disabilities to request specific methodologies in their children's IEPs. Whether it's Lindamood-Bell instruction for a student with a specific learning disability or applied behavioral analysis for a child with autism, many parents want a say in how their child will learn. But can naming a specific methodology in an IEP complicate a district's efforts to provide FAPE? Attorney Marcy Gutierrez will help you work out a solution to this sometimes-tricky puzzle. Taking clues from judicial rulings, she'll help you work out when to include a specific methodology in a student's IEP and when to leave that question unanswered. In addition, Marcy will highlight the pros and cons of including a specific methodology in the IEP. Don't get stumped by questions about instructional techniques; let Marcy show you how find the correct solution every time.

Appropriately responding to threats is complicated, especially when it involves a student with a disability. Educators must balance school safety and the rights of the student under federal disability laws. While it may be difficult to walk the line, it's not impossible. Let attorney Samantha Lewis show you how to cover all the bases. She'll highlight tried and true techniques in creating and implementing effective threat assessment protocols, including factors to consider when assessing threats by special education students. Samantha will also reveal how to preserve FAPE during the threat assessment process, including when to conduct an MDR and the types of behavioral supports that may be effective for students who communicate threats. Using real-world examples to drive lessons home, Samantha will prepare you for identifying critical actions that need to be taken to stop violence before it occurs.

Dyslexia -- the most common learning disability -- remains one of the hottest topics in special education. Through an examination of the law, the latest guidance, and selected recent court and due process decisions, attorney Jonathan Read will focus on the most problematic issues for IEP teams in determining eligibility, drafting appropriate measurable goals, and providing services for students diagnosed with dyslexia. He’ll identify important lessons for educators when it comes to discussing methodologies along with several practical compliance takeaways, including the standards for evaluating a student for dyslexia and determining eligibility for services.

Inclusion is a hot-button issue in special education, as the law requires that districts place students in the general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate to address their needs. To meet this requirement, Dr. Derek Ihori will provide strategies to help your team develop and customize an inclusion model to meet your individual school or district's needs and culture. These strategies will include how to evaluate the feasibility of a large-scale inclusion model, obtain buy-in from stakeholders, create an individualized model based on stakeholder input, train staff, provide services, and navigate internal political challenges. With these tools, you will return to your district ready to develop inclusive programs that are accepted by your staff and community.