Special Ed Advocate Newsletter, January 18, 2005 (Issue 294)

At Wrightslaw, our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need to navigate the challenging, changing world of special education.

Highlights: Complaint ends confusion about special ed teachers; how to report a problem or file a complaint; how to resolve disputes - negotiate, mediate, litigate; mediation & negotiation in advocacy; Wrightslaw programs in FL, NJ, NY, IN, AZ; Surviving Due Process wins Award of Excellence; annual conference of Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates in Atlanta. Download this newsletter.

Quote of the Week: Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -- Martin Luther King Jr.

Wrightslaw is ranked #1 in education law, special education law, and special education advocacy. (2004 Alexa rankings)

Although the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law three years ago, many states and school districts do not seem to know or want to comply with the requirements for highly qualified teachers.

In January 2004, the New Hampshire Bureau of Special Education issued a memo to all school superintendents and special education directors. This memo stated that special education teachers who were certified in "Mental Retardation" could teach children with disabilities, although they were not certified in core academic subjects.

This policy only applied to teachers of children with disabilities. The policy did not apply to the teachers of children from low-income families, English language learners, racial minorities, or children who did not have disabilities.

Sue Heath, Wrightslaw research editor and co-author of Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind, felt this policy discriminated against children with disabilities. When New Hampshire did not amend or correct the memo, Sue took action. She filed a No Child Left Behind complaint.

In addition to doing research, answering email, and writing articles about creative advocacy strategies for Doing Your Homework, Sue Heath is the co-author of Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind. The book includes chapters about obtaining information, using your state's Freedom of Information Act, reporting problems, filing complaints, and sample letters. Table of Contents

Training & Seminars: Sue Heath speaks to groups of parents, advocates, and educators about No Child Left Behind, reading, research based instruction and strategies for using federal education standards to advocate for children and to improve public schools. Info & schedule.

In How to Resolve Special Education Disputes, Pete and Pam Wright explain why conflict between parents and school officials is normal and predictable - and why you need to negotiate for services. While parents want the "best" services for their children, school officials are only required to provide "appropriate" services (and balance their budgets).

In mediation and negotiation, the parties sit down to discuss problems and solutions. Mediation is not easy nor is it natural. Natural responses to conflict are fight and flight. Despite these difficulties, we encourage parents and school officials to use negotiation and mediation to resolve disputes about educating children with disabilities. In most cases, the outcome is better.

In Learning to Negotiate is Part of the Advocacy Process, Vermont advocate Brice Palmer describes the role of negotiating in special education advocacy. Explains rules, and offers tactics and techniques.

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

Surviving Due Process takes you through a special education due process hearing, from initial preparations to testimony by the final witness. The film is based on a case about a young child with autism. With different evidence and witnesses, this could easily be a case about a child with a different disability or a different legal issue.

Surviving Due Process was directed and filmed by V.A.V.S. Video Productions, a team of specialists in producing educational video programs:

"We enjoy creating educational media, documentaries and training materials on issues that need more public awareness. We devote ourselves to topics about the legal and educational issues surrounding people who have disabilities."

"Working on ‘Surviving Due Process’ was so much fun! It brought together people who are heartily involved in the subject, it brings to light aspects of a procedure many parents must go through and it has a very real and human feel to it. Viewers will learn something new from watching this video - and have fun." - John Nelson, President, V.A.V.S.

What? The Annual Conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), a national organization of parents of special education students and their advocates and lawyers

Where? The Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel at Colony Square in Atlanta

When? March 10-13, 2005

Who? The COPAA conference will be of interest to parents, advocates and attorneys who represent or are interested in representing special education students.

Why? This conference provides unique opportunities for training and networking with experienced, knowledgeable attorneys and advocates on special education issues. Participants will learn about recent cases, legislative changes, and tactics.

Schedule at a Glance: https://www.wrightslaw.com/news/05/copaa.conf.schedule.pdf

Cost: Fees vary, depending on when your form is received, days attended, and membership status.
Early Bird Discounts: Register before February 10, 2005 to assure your spot and save money!

Brochure and Registration Form: http://www.copaa.net/content/COPAA2005Confprogram.pdf.

Join COPAA

Learn more about the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.

Membership Information.

The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. Subscribers receive "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books.