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, John H. Rushford
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, Rachel Lozosky
1. Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
2. Conducting Evaluations and Re-Evaluations of Students With Special Needs
3. The Role of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the IEP Team
3. SUCCESSFULLY HANDLING DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
   10:15 - 11:00, John H. Rushford
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, Patricia R. Andrews
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, Heather Bungard and Monica Griffith
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, Rachel Lozosky
   1. Confidentiality
   2. Conflicts of Interest
   3. Acting in the Best Interests of the Child

PATRICIA R. ANDREWS is an attorney in the law firm of Andrews & Price, where she represents school districts in education and special education law. She earned her B.S. degree from the University of Pittsburgh and her J.D. degree from the George Washington University. Ms. Andrews has lectured to numerous professional groups on education and special education matters. She is a member of the Allegheny County Bar (Municipal and School Solicitors sections) and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

HEATHER BUNGARD is the director of special education at the Gateway School District. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and earned two M.S. degrees from Duquesne University. During the past 13 years, Ms. Bungard has worked in both public and private school settings. She was a regular education teacher, special education teacher and special education coordinator.

MONICA GRIFFITH is on the administrative team as a school psychologist at the Gateway School District. She earned her B.A. degree from The Ohio State University and her M.S. degree and Certificate of Advanced Study for School Psychology from Duquesne University. Ms. Griffith was hired by Penn Hills school district as one of three school psychologist's in the Special Education Department, where she worked for six years.

RACHEL LOZOSKY is an attorney with Peacock Keller & Ecker, LLP and her practice focuses upon school law. She presented a seminar at the Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association Summer Symposium, entitled "Attorney-Client Privilege and Its Application Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and Sunshine Act: Ethical Considerations for School District Solicitors." Ms. Lozosky has presented to public school administrators and teachers on issues including special education, student confidentiality and professional responsibility. She also regularly presents to Washington County high school students on various legal issues, through an outreach program of the Washington County Bar Association. Ms.Lozosky earned her B.A. degrees, cum laude, from Washington & Jefferson College. She earned her J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a member of Phi Alpha Delta international legal fraternity and participated in moot court competition. Prior to becoming associated with Peacock Keller & Ecker, LLP, Ms. Lozosky was an associate attorney for several years with Vanderman Law Offices in Charleroi, PA, where she practiced primarily in general and business litigation. She is a member of the Washington County Bar Association, President of the Washington County chapter of Zonta International, and Director of Community Service for the Washington Rotary Club. Peacock Keller & Ecker, LLP, serves as solicitor to several school districts and as special counsel to several others. The firm also has been named as an approved defense firm for school districts by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association Insurance Trust.

JOHN H. RUSHFORD is an attorney with the law firm of Dodaro, Cambest & Associates. He has been actively involved in the representation of municipal and school clients and has appeared in all courts of the commonwealth, federal district court and Third Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as before all appropriate administrative agencies. Mr. Rushford earned his B.A. degree from Boston College and his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (Legal Rights of Exceptional Children Committee).

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

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Phone: 866-240-1890

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