Home  > Seminars & Training > Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp, Springfield, MA (April 6-7, 2012)

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Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp
with Peter Wright, Esq. and Pamela Darr Wright

Holyoke, Massachusetts
(Just Outside of Springfield)

April 6-7, 2012
Friday and Saturday


SOLD OUT


This two-day Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp, a Wrightslaw training program with Pete Wright and Pam Wright, is being sponsored by the Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western MA and Baystate Children's Hospital.


The program will be held at:

Baystate Health Education Center
Upper Level
361 Whitney Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040

Program Description

Participants will learn about changes in IDEA 2004 including:

  • New requirements for initial evaluations, reevaluations & parental consent
  • New requirements for IEPs, IEP goals, IEP teams, IEP meetings
  • New eligibility issues for students with specific learning disabilities
  • New procedural requirements and timelines, including the “Due Process Complaint Notice” and “Resolution (IEP) Session.”

Participants will learn about requirements in No Child Left Behind including:

  • Reading and research based instruction
  • Highly qualified teachers
  • Parental rights and options
  • High stakes testing

Participants will also learn how to:

  • Use tests and measurements to measure progress
  • Write SMART IEPs
  • Use tactics and strategies for effective advocacy
Day 1: Special Education Laws
8:00-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00-10:30
  • Introductions, Agenda, Pre-test
  • Overview: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-97) and the Reauthorized IDEA of 2004
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00

IDEA (con’t)

  • Section 1400: Findings & Purposes
  • Section 1401: Definitions
  • Section 1412: “Catchall Statute” – Least Restrictive Environment
  • (LRE), ESY, Notice, Statewide Assessments

Review

12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30
  • Measuring Progress: Tests & Measurements & the Bell Curve Demo: How to Chart Test Scores
  • Section 1414: Evaluations, Consent
  • Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs)
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-4:00
  • Section 1415: Procedural Safeguards - Prior Written Notice, Procedural Safeguards Notice, Mediation, Due Process Hearings, Appeal, Discipline
  • Section 504: Discrimination, Retaliation, Damages
  • Review and Homework Assignment
4:00-4:30 Questions and Answers
Day 2: SMART IEPs, NCLB, Advocacy Strategies
9:00-10:30
  • Review: Law, Tests & Measurements, Bell Curve
  • No Child Left Behind: Reading, Research Based Instruction
  • Highly Qualified Teachers
  • Paraprofessionals
  • Parent “Right to Know”

SMART IEPS

10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00 SMART IEPs (cont'd)
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30 Advocacy Strategies, Crisis Management
  • Emotions, Conflict
  • Obstacles to Successful Advocacy
  • School Culture
  • Rule of Adverse Assumptions
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-4:00

Advocacy Strategies (con’t)

  • Hazards of Litigation & Outcome Prediction
  • Comprehensive Evaluations
  • Negotiating; Paper Trails & Letters
  • School Meetings: Preparation & Survival Strategies
4:00-4:30 Questions and Answers


Registration

Registration Fees

Early Bird
On or Before January 31, 2012

 
DSRG Member $75 $95
Family Member of Child with Disabilites $100 $120
Professional (includes CEU's) $175 $195

Click here to register online.

Click here to download the printable registration form.

Your registration fee includes Continental Breakfast, lunch and three books, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition, Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, Second Edition and Wrightslaw: All About IEPs ($63.00 combined retail value).

Credits:
1.2 (12 contact hours) CEU (continuing education units) have been approved for this conference.

Scholarships: Limited scholarships available for members of the Down Syndrome Resource Group only.

Refund Policy:
You must contact the sponsors within 14 days prior to event to receive 50% of registration fee.

Questions? Please contact Tanya Wheeler by email.

Wrightslaw programs often fill up early - don't miss out! Register today!


Logistics, Directions, Accommodations

Directions

Click here for directions to the Baystate Health Education Center.

Parking

There is free surface parking. Park in the upper level of the parking lot which is closest to the Education Center.

Airports

Bradley International Airport
(Airport is approximately 19 miles to venue)

Accommodations

Homewood Suites by Hilton is offering a special room rate of $101 per night. The hotel is directly next to the conference venue. Call 1-800-CALL-HOME. Please ask for the "Wrightslaw Training Group" in order to receive the discounted room rate. All reservatons must be received by March 5, 2012. If registering online, please visit the Homewood Suites site. First choose your arrival and departure dates. The Group Code for the special rate is WLT.

Click here for other accommodations near the conference venue.


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