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

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
   8:30 - 9:15, Shawn M. McLain
1. Reviewing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
2. Examining Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
3. What are the Laws Relating to Particular Disabilities?
4. Summary of Recent Developments in Special Education Law
5. 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, Shawn M. McLain
1. What are Early Intervention Programs?
2. Defining State and Local 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
8. How, When, and Why Reauthorization Occurs
3. SUCCESSFULLY HANDLING DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
   10:15 - 11:00, Gary E. Kerr
1. Providing Services During Disciplinary Removal
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, Merry C. Rhoades
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, Merry C. Rhoades
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. Using the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to Ensure Compliance
6. ETHICS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
   2:00 - 3:00, Gary E. Kerr
   1. Confidentiality
   2. Conflicts of Interest
   3. Acting in the Best Interests of the Child

GARY E. KERR is a sole practitioner in Springfield where he concentrates in the fields of school law and labor and employment law, representing school boards, special education districts/cooperatives and private schools for the disabled in a variety of matters. He is a former adjunct faculty member for an educational law course at Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois Springfield). Mr. Kerr conducts in-service programs/seminars for clients, state agencies and associations on issues regarding compliance with federal and state laws. He is a member of the Sangamon County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association (member, School Law and Labor and Employment Law sections), the Illinois Council of School Attorneys, and the National School Board Association Council of School Attorneys. Mr. Kerr earned his B.A. degree from Northern Illinois University and his J.D. degree from Northwestern University School of Law.

SHAWN M. McLAIN is an attorney with Guin Martin & Mundorf, LLC, where his main areas of practice are education law, employment law, labor relations and civil litigation. Guin Martin & Mundorf, LLC is a preeminent full service education law firm dedicated to the exclusive representation of Missouri and Illinois public schools. The firm's highly experienced attorneys devote their time to cost effective counseling, solving problems and litigating on behalf of education clients. Guin Martin & Mundorf, LLC represents its educational clients in a wide variety of areas, including employment and personnel matters; collective bargaining; open meetings and records; purchasing and contracting; policy development; student rights; FERPA; employee benefits, including HIPAA; vocational education; school finance; election law; tort claims; insurance law; real estate; and special education. Mr. McLain graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law and Southeast Missouri State University.

MERRY C. RHOADES is an attorney with Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt. In her practice as an education law attorney, she regularly advises clients on all facets of school law, ranging from annexation and detachment matters to the termination of the tenured teacher to tax and finance matters. Ms. Rhoades is known throughout downstate Illinois for her work in the area of special education and student rights. She has worked extensively with Illinois public school districts regarding the special education and related services provided to special needs students. Ms. Rhoades has been asked to speak for organizations such as the Illinois Association of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE), the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), the Illinois Principal's Association (IPA) and the Illinois School Boards Association (IASB) on special education issues. She also participates in the Illinois Council of School Attorneys' Special Education Concerns Committee. Ms. Rhoades also is known for her insight regarding a school district's obligations to students under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAA). She regularly guides school district clients through the ins and outs of meeting its obligation to students that are disabled. Ms. Rhoades is an active member of several school related organizations. She is a member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys Executive Committee and currently serves as its 1st vice chairperson and as a service member to the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). Ms. Rhoades serves as an Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) PRESS advisory committee member. She was selected by David Herndon, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, to serve on the Southern District of Illinois' local rules committee. Ms. Rhoades also has been nominated by her peers as an Illinois Leading Lawyer. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Council of School Attorneys Executive Committee (chairperson), National Council of School Attorneys, Southern District of Illinois' Rules Committee and Illinois Leading Lawyers Network. She earned her B.A. degree from MacMurray College and her J.D. degree from DePaul University College of Law.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com