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. Basics
3. Successfully Handling Disciplinary Actions for Special Needs Students
4. Ensuring Successful Due Process Procedures
5. Other Issues
6. Ethics in Special Education Law

1. ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
   8:30 - 9:30, Barbara Loughman
1. Introduction to Special Education Law
   1. History
   2. Federal Statute
   3. Federal Regulations
   4. NH Statute
   5. NH Regulations
   6. Landmark Cases, e.g. Rowley
2. BASICS
   9:30 - 10:15 and 10:30 - 10:45, Barbara Loughman
1. Referral/Eligibility for Service
   1. Child Find
   2. Early Intervention Programs
2. Identification Process/Evaluation Team
3. IEP/IEP Team
4. Placement
   1. LRE
   2. Qualifications of Service Providers
5. Unilateral Placement
6. FAPE
7. Consent
   
3. SUCCESSFULLY HANDLING DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
   10:45 - 11:45, Margaret -Ann Morgan
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
   12:45 - 1:45, Margaret -Ann Morgan
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. Appeals From Administrative Due Process Hearing
8. Effective Ways to Avoid Due Process Litigation
9. Complaint Process
   
5. OTHER ISSUES
   1:45 - 2:45, Margaret -Ann Morgan
1. Case Law (Including Cedar Rapids Community School District)
2. Summary of Recent Developments in Special Education Law
3. Children in Private Schools
4. Remedies
   1. Compensatory Education
   2. Damages
   3. Section 1983
      
6. ETHICS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
   3:00 - 4:00, Barbara Loughman
   1. Lawyer/Client Relationship
      1. Competence
      2. Case Management
      3. Confidentiality
      4. Conflicts of Interest
   2. Counselor
   3. Advocate
      1. Discovery
      2. Mediation
      3. Resolution Sessions
      4. Pro Se Parents
      5. Witness
      6. Subpoenas
   4. Negotiation of Settlements
   5. OCR Investigations/ NH DOE Investigations

BARBARA LOUGHMAN is a partner in the firm of Soule, Leslie, Kidder, Sayward & Loughman with offices in Salem and Wolfeboro New Hampshire. The firm is general counsel for approximately 80 New Hampshire school districts. Ms. Loughman has represented New Hampshire school districts on all aspects of school law for more than 25 years. She has also been a frequent presenter at workshops on legal issues for school districts. Ms. Loughman is past chair of the New Hampshire Council of School Attorneys. A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, she has been admitted to practice before the New Hampshire Supreme Court, US District Court, and the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Loughman is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the New Hampshire Council of School Attorneys.

MARGARET-ANN MORAN is a partner in the law firm of Upton & Hatfield, LLP, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, where she has practiced law since 1981. Ms. Moran provides representation to school districts throughout the state in matters of school law and, in particular, special education law in administrative hearings and before the state and federal courts. She is a frequent presenter of workshops for school districts on legal issues in special education. A graduate of Wellesley College, she received her J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School. Ms. Moran served on the New Hampshire Board of Education Special Education Task Force from 1995 to 1996, and was past chair of the New Hampshire Council of School Attorneys. She is a member of the New Hampshire and American bar associations, the New Hampshire Council of School Attorneys and the National Council of School Attorneys.

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