With the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, professionals working with special needs children know that an understanding of special education law is crucial. You need to know the law in order to deal with complex questions that arise on a regular basis. Who pays when a special needs child is placed in private schooling at the parents' election? How can a school create the least restrictive environment and promote inclusion to the best interests of all students? It can be costly for your clients if you don't know. You need advanced skills and a thorough background in the issues to give your clients the protection they need.

That's why this legal briefing is so important. It's an investment that will pay for itself many times over, enabling you to offer your clients solid, informed advice when special education law questions arise. Ground your advice in an understanding of the federal laws governing special education. Be prepared to handle questions regarding disciplinary actions for special needs students. Confidently guide your clients through the due process procedure. Establish your expertise in the rights of special needs students. Don't miss this opportunity to further your knowledge. Order today!

1. Establishing the Framework of Special Education Law
2. Unraveling the Requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
3. Successfully Handling Disciplinary Actions for Special Needs Students
4. Ensuring Successful Due Process Procedures
5. Protecting the Rights of Children With Special Needs
6. Ethics in Special Education Law

1. ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
   8:30 - 9:15, Christian M. Knox and F. Richard Ruderman
1. Reviewing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
2. Summary of Recent Developments in Special Education Law
3. Relevant Case Law (Including Cedar Rapids Community School District vs. Garret F.)
2. UNRAVELING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)
   9:15 - 10:00, Christian M. Knox and F. Richard Ruderman
1. What are Early Intervention Programs?
2. Defining Eligibility for Services
3. Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
4. Conducting Evaluations and Re-Evaluations of Students With Special Needs
5. The Role of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the IEP Team
6. Availability of Personnel Who Know How to Meet the Needs of Disabled Students
7. Specific Issues About Exceptional Needs Children Enrolled in Private Schools
3. SUCCESSFULLY HANDLING DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
   10:15 - 11:00, Christian M. Knox and F. Richard Ruderman
1. Initiation of Due Process
2. Defining Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs)
3. What are Behavioral Intervention Plans?
4. How Manifestation Determination Reviews Apply
5. Protections for Children Not Yet Eligible for Special Education and Related Services
6. Changes in Placement
1. Suspensions and the Ten-Day Rule
2. Legal Rules Governing Removal or Expulsion
3. Interim Alternative Educational Settings
7. Other Available Remedies
8. “Stay Put” Placement During Pendency of Due Process
9. Expedited Due Process Hearings
4. ENSURING SUCCESSFUL DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES
   11:00 - 12:00, Christian M. Knox and F. Richard Ruderman
1. Actions To Take Upon Receipt of Request for Impartial Hearing
2. Complying With Notice Requirements
3. Examining Essential Timing Issues
4. Providing for the Option of Mediation
5. How to Prepare for a Due Process Hearing
6. Crucial Elements in an Impartial Due Process Hearing
7. When De Novo Reviews Apply
8. Effective Ways to Avoid Due Process Litigation
5. PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
   1:00 - 1:45, Christian M. Knox and F. Richard Ruderman
1. Promoting Parent Awareness of Legal Rights and Recourse for Their Child
2. Understanding Placement Issues
1. Least Restrictive Environment and Inclusion
2. Requirements for Unilateral Placements by Parents Seeking Public Payment
3. Compensatory Education
3. Preventing Disability Harassment in the Schools
4. Protecting Confidentiality of Information
5. Special Education Damages Liability (Including Section 1983 Liability)
6. Section 504 Complaints
7. Compliance Issues
6. ETHICS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
   2:00 - 3:00, Christian M. Knox and F. Richard Ruderman
   1. Confidentiality
   2. Conflicts of Interest
   3. Acting in the Best Interests of the Child

CHRISTIAN M. KNOX is an attorney at the law office of Ruderman & Knox, LLP. She has served as a special education hearing officer and traveled throughout California conducting administrative hearings and issuing decisions.  Ms. Knox has extensive experience with abused and neglected children, and most recently served as a staff attorney with Sacramento Child Advocates -- representing children in all areas of law including education and emancipation. During her tenure with the Fourth Judicial District Court in Elko, Nevada, Ms. Knox served as Teen Court Judge and presided over the first-time offender program.  In 2001, Ms. Knox received the Women's Role Model of the Year Award from the Nevada Attorney General for her work with children in the foster care system. She earned her Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law, where she tutored disabled students.  Ms. Knox completed extensive undergraduate work in music therapy at Long Beach State University and holds a Bachelor's degree in law.

F. RICHARD RUDERMAN is an attorney at the law office of Ruderman & Knox, LLP. He brings more than 28 years of experience in law and education to his practice of representing children in special education matters.  Credentialed in both secondary math and social studies, Mr. Ruderman was a public school teacher for eight years. He left teaching to enter law school, and after graduation practiced education law on behalf of public agencies. Mr. Ruderman has focused exclusively on special education law for more than 17 years, first as a hearing officer for the California Special Education Hearing Office, and then in private practice.  As a California hearing officer, he adjudicated special education cases for about 5 years.  As a private attorney, Mr. Ruderman represented over 400 children and their families.  He has conducted many presentations for attorneys, parent advocates, and public agencies, and he has participated in training special education hearing officers. Mr. Ruderman earned his B.A. degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and his J.D. degree from the University of San Francisco, where he received the American Jurisprudence award in Administrative Law.

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