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.

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, Timothy S. McCredie
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, Shannon M. McMinimee
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 - 11:15, Shannon M. McMinimee
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
   11:15 - 12:00, Shannon M. McMinimee
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, Timothy S. McCredie
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, Timothy S. McCredie
   1. Confidentiality
   2. Conflicts of Interest
   3. Acting in the Best Interests of the Child

TIMOTHY S. McCREDIE has a private practice focusing on education, litigation and disabilities law. Representing school districts, private schools and parents across the State of Washington since 1987, he has litigated and advised on issues of child-find, evaluation, placement, IEP and discipline for a variety of students with learning disabilities. Mr. McCredie received his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University and his J.D. degree from the University of Washington. A past president of the Washington Council for School Attorneys, Mr. McCredie is a frequent lecturer on school law topics.

SHANNON M. McMINIMEE is an attorney in the Seattle law office of Preg O'Donnell & Gillett PLLC, where her areas of practice focus on defending schools and businesses. Ms. McMinimee started her career in a large international law firm, representing clients in commercial, employment securities, and intellectual property litigation. In 2006, she joined the General Counsel's Office for the Seattle School District, where she represented and advised the district on a wide variety of legal issues, including all special education, constitutional and enrollment matters. Ms. McMinimee successfully defended the district in numerous high profile suits in King County Superior Court and before the Washington Court of Appeals; handled more than 100 matters before the Office of Administrative Hearings; investigated and responded to more than 50 regulatory complaints by state and federal agencies; and assisted in the defense of the district's student assignment plan before the U.S. Supreme Court. Ms. McMinimee also regularly provided guidance to the school board and senior leadership on major initiatives, as well as daily advice to building-based administrators on an array of legal issues. She also drafted numerous policies and procedures and provided frequent trainings for district staff on topics ranging from preventing and reporting educator sexual misconduct to student speech and religious accommodation. Ms. McMinimee joined Preg O'Donnell & Gillett PLLC in March of 2010, and has continued to represent school districts in special education matters before the Office of Administrative Hearings and the U.S. District Court for the Western District and in general litigation matters before Superior Court, the Washington Court of Appeals, and the Washington Supreme Court. She also has conducted harassment, discrimination, and bullying investigations for school districts. Ms. McMinimee has earned approval as panel counsel for the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool. She earned her Bachelor's degrees in political science and societies and justice from the University of Washington and her Juris Doctorate degree, with honors, from the University of Washington's School of Law where she served as managing editor for the Washington Law Review. She is a member of the Washington State and King County bar associations, the Western District of Washington Federal Bar Association (Rules Committee), the National Council of School Attorneys and the Washington Council of School Attorneys where she is presently serving as a Board member. She also is a frequent writer and presenter on her areas of expertise.

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