Agenda / Content Covered

1. Bullying and Harassment: Ensuring Special Needs Students Receive Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
   9:00 - 9:55, Written and Presented by James R. Gallini in Montgomery and Birmingham.
   
   1. Understanding FAPE in Different Forms: IDEA and Section 504
   2. Recognizing Harassment and Interference with Special Education Services
   3. Special Needs Students as Perpetrators: How to Handle it
   4. Documenting Responses to Bullying and Harassment
2. Developing Legally Compliant IEPs That Benefit Students: With Examples
   10:10 - 11:00, Written and Presented by James R. Gallini in Montgomery and Birmingham.
   
   1. Evaluation Best Practices
   2. Mitigating the Chance for Legal Liabilities in the Meeting
   3. Ensuring Legally Defensible Documentation for Every Decision
   4. IEP Progress Monitoring
   5. Changing the IEP: Essential Guidelines
   6. IEP Do's and Don'ts - With Examples
3. Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs): Did the Disability Cause the Behavior?
   11:00 - 11:55, Written and Presented by James R. Gallini in Montgomery and Birmingham.
   
   1. Necessary Procedures Under the IDEA
   2. Discipline Documentation: What to Include
   3. Determining if Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and Discipline Documentation Align
   4. What to Do if MDR Results are Disputed
4. Essential Special Education Legal Updates You Need to Know
   12:55 - 1:35, Written and Presented by Rodney C. Lewis in Montgomery and Birmingham.
   
5. 504 Plan Eligibility and Accommodation Best Practices
   1:35 - 2:30, Written and Presented by Rodney C. Lewis in Montgomery and Birmingham.
   
   1. 504 Plans vs. IEPs
   2. Eligibility Procedure Best Practices
      1. Should IDEA Procedures be Used?
      2. The ADAAA and 504 Plan Eligibility
      3. The Use of Parent-Submitted Information
   3. Determining Educationally - and Legally - Appropriate Accommodations
   4. Legal Best Practices for Students Who Do Not Need Classroom Accommodations
6. Avoiding Disability Discrimination Complaints: Lessons From Recent Court Cases and Enforcement Actions
   2:45 - 3:40, Written and Presented by Rodney C. Lewis in Montgomery and Birmingham.
   
   1. Ensuring Equal Access to All Programs: Sports, Gifted and Talented, Etc.
   2. Technology and Accessibility, Including Websites
   3. Ensuring Modifications and Changes in Placement are Necessary
   4. Discriminatory Suspension and Discipline Practices
   5. Inappropriate Use of Restraint and Seclusion
   6. Recognizing Racial Disparity in Special Education Programs
7. English Language Learners (ELLs) and Special Education: Ensuring Legal Best Practices
   3:40 - 4:30, Written and Presented by Rodney C. Lewis in Montgomery and Birmingham.
   
   1. Knowing When Referral is Appropriate
   2. How ELLs Should be Evaluated
   3. IEPs for ELLs
      1. IEP Meeting Essentials for ELLs
      2. Ensuring Language Instruction Meshes with IEP Objectives
   4. Legally Compliant School Policies for English Language and Special Education Co-Services

JAMES R. GALLINI is with The Gallini Group and was drawn to special education law when his daughter was diagnosed with classic autism. He has the unique insight of having a child on the spectrum and understands the struggles and challenges that parents face in dealing with school systems. Mr. Gallini graduated from the University of Texas-Arlington and holds a B.A. degree in history, and a law degree from Birmingham School of Law. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar, and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama, and the United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has taught special education courses as an adjunct professor at the Birmingham School of Law. Mr. Gallini provides frequent seminars and training on education law, IEP development, and tactics for maintaining positive relationships with school systems while appropriately advocating for students.

RODNEY C. LEWIS is a shareholder in the Huntsville law firm of Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne PC, where he concentrates his practice in employment law. His practice involves the training, counseling, and representation of school districts in special education and anti-discrimination involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other related laws. His litigation experience consists of representing school districts in state and federal courts, mediation sessions, and administrative due process hearings. Mr. Lewis is the author of "Be Aware of the Obligations Imposed by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,” Alabama School Boards (magazine), spring 2007; and “New IDEA Should Boost Discipline and Curb Frivolous Lawsuits,” Alabama School Boards (magazine), January-February, 2005. Mr. Lewis earned his B.A. degree, with honors, from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and his J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the Alabama Association of School Board Attorneys, the National Association of School Board Attorneys, and the Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association.