Special Ed Advocate Newsletter, April 7, 2004 (Issue 255)

At Wrightslaw, our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need navigate the confusing world of special education. In this issue, we look at retaliation.

Highlights: 1 million dollar verdict for special ed teacher in retaliation case upheld; the inside story of the 1 million dollar verdict; lessons from the Settlegoode case - paper trails and letter writing; Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy; Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates; Wrightslaw programs in AK, MD, AL; help from the Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities.

Wrightslaw is ranked #1 in education law, special education law, and special education advocacy. (2003 Alexa rankings)

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1. One Million Dollar Verdict for Special Ed Teacher in Retaliation Case Upheld!

On Monday, April 5, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit xxx Text Text Text

The decision in Pamella Settlegoode v. Portland xxx Schools is available in two formats:

https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/04/9th.settlegoode.portland.htm

https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/04/9th.settlegoode.portland.pdf

Special Education Caselaw: https://www.wrightslaw.com/caselaw.com

2. Vindicated! The Inside Story of the One Million Dollar Verdict

Text Text Text

https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/retaliate.settlegoode.htm

Learn more about Retaliation

Learn about Section 504 & Discrimination

3. Lessons from the Settlegoode Case: Paper Trails

"If it wasn't written down, it wasn't said. If it wasn't written down, it didn't happen." Pete Wright (From Emotions to Advocacy, page 201)

Good records are important to effective advocacy. When you advocate for a child, you use logs, calendars, journals, and letters to create paper trails. Documents that support your position help you resolve disputes early. These two articles about documents and paper trails will help you get started:

Documents and Paper Trails teaches you how to use logs, calendars and journals to create paper trails; how to document phone calls and meetings.

The Paper Chase: Managing Your Child's Documents. When you have kids with special education needs, you can be overwhelmed by the paperwork in no time. In this article by Massachusetts attorney Bob Crabtree, you learn what documents are important and how to organize your child's documents. Learn how to use a log and documents to prevent problems and get better services for your child.

4. Lessons from the Settlegoode Case: Letter Writing

When you read "The Inside Story" [LINK] about the Settlegoode case, you learned that Dr. S. wrote letters that documented her concerns about her students. Although her supervisors ordered her to stop writing letters, she did not stop.

Change the facts. Assume Dr. S. was fired and filed a lawsuit. Assume she testified about these incidents but did not have letters that substantiated her claims. Do you think the outcome of her case would have been different? Absolutely!

You need to write letters to clarify events and what you were told. If you have a dispute with the school, your letters are independent evidence that support your memory.

These articles about letter-writing will help you hone your letter-writing skills.

Art of Writing Letters - In this article you learn to use tactics and strategies when you write letters to the school. You learn about the Blame Approach and the Story-Telling Approach; the sympathy factor; first impressions; pitfalls; and the powerful decision-making Stranger.

12 Rules for Writing Great Letters - If you have a problem with the school or concerns about your child's program, you must document your concerns in writing. This article includes twelve rules for writing letters, along with editing tips.

More about paper trails and letter writing

5. Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy - $10 Off

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy includes two chapters about letter writing and more than a dozen sample letters. You learn two approaches to letter writing - the Blame Approach and the Story-Telling Approach. You learn about the Sympathy Factor, persuasion, and why you must not write angry letters to the school.

You learn strategies you can use to ensure that your letters accomplish their purposes. We provide advice about how to write business letters, letter-writing tips, and sample letters that you can adapt to your circumstances.

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy sample letters that you can tailor to your own circumstances, including sample letters to:

* Request Information
* Request a Meeting with a Teacher
* Document a Problem
* Express Appreciation
* Decline a Request
* Request an Evaluation
* Request a Records Review
* Request an IEP Meeting
* Request Your Child's Test Scores
* Document Unresolved or Ongoing Problems
* Provide Ten-Day Notice to Withdraw Child

Internet Orders l Mail, Fax, Phone Orders l Discounts l

"Expect this book to be tabbed and dog-eared - it is an invaluable advocacy tool." - The Tourette Gazette

Wrightslaw books are reasonably priced ($29.95) - easy on tight budgets.

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law (ISBN 1-892320-03-7)

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy (ISBN 1-892320-08-8) - $10 Off

Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind (ISBN: 1-892320-12-6)

Discounts & Exam Copies

50% Discount on Bulk Purchases of Wrightslaw Books -The Advocacy Challenge Discount is a 50% discount on bulk purchases of Wrightslaw books.

Exam Copies - Teachers in colleges and universities around the country use Wrightslaw books in education, special education and special education law courses. Learn more

6. Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA)

Are you an attorney who represents children with disabilities? Are you an advocate who helps parents get special ed services for children? Do you need up-to-date special ed legal information? Do you work for a public interest law firm or legal advocacy center?

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," you need to join the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)!

COPAA is xxx

Learn more. Membership form.

More about IEPs

7. Rules for Teachers Relaxed (NCLB News, March, 2004)

No Child Left Behind News & Commentary includes announcements, news, events, commentary, and Op-Ed articles about No Child Left Behind. Here are three recent news items:

U. S. Dept of Ed Relaxes Rules for Highly Qualified Teachers. Teachers in rural communities and science teachers get more flexibility in meeting "highly qualified" requirements; new rules streamline how teachers can demonstrate subject-matter mastery in several subjects. (March 15, 2004)

More NCLB News & Commentary. Learn about No Child Left Behind.

Learn about Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind with NCLB CD-ROM.

8. Coming Soon! Wrightslaw Programs in Alaska, Maryland, Alabama

Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Programs focus on four areas: special education laws, rights & responsibilities; how to use the bell curve to measure progress & regression; SMART IEPs; and tactics & strategies for effective advocacy.

Juneau, Alaska (Boot Camp) - April 8-9, 2004

Anchorage, Alaska (Boot Camp)- April 13-14, 2004

Annapolis, Maryland (Boot Camp) - April 30-May 1, 2004

Birmington, Alabama (1 day advocacy training) - May 25, 2005 https://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/04.05.al.htm

Wrightslaw programs are usually "sold out" so if you plan to attend, don't procrastinate - register today!

If you are interested in bringing Pete and Pam Wright to your community, please read our FAQs about Seminars. (We are scheduling programs for 2005-2006.)