Wrightslaw

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

Highlights: A new school year begins; what you need to know about IEPs and IEP meetings under IDEA 2004; what you need to know about IDEA 2004; Wrightslaw IDEA 2004 training programs in Wheeling, WV & Richmond, VA in September; success stories - why you need to plan, how you can get better services by asking questions.

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When Congress reauthorized IDEA, they made several changes to Section 1414(d) about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and IEP meetings.

What must be included in the IEP? What does the law say about developing the IEP? Reviewing and revising the child's IEP?

Who may be excused from IEP meetings and under what circumstances? When can the IEP be changed without convening an IEP meeting?

What does the law say about educational placements? What services must be provided when a child transfers to a district in the same state? A different state? What are “multi-year IEPs”?

For answers to these questions, read What You Need to Know About IEPs Under IDEA 2004. (this articles includes changes in the law from IDEA 97.)

Note: The information in this article is taken from Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 (Chapter 3: Overview of IDEA 2004 and Appendix D: Roadmap to the IEP)

If you are the parent of a child with a disability, you represent your child's interests. You need to be informed about changes in IDEA 2004 that may affect your child. If you are a teacher or special education service provider, the reauthorized law will affect you and your job. These articles will help you understand IDEA 2004 and how it will affect you.

IDEA 2004: Highly Qualified Teachers & Research Based Instruction - Learn about new requirements in IDEA 2004 - that children with disabilities will be taught by highly qualified teachers and receive research based instruction. This article focuses on new requirements for personnel training, IEPs, and scientifically based instruction.

IDEA 2004: IEP Team Members & IEP Team Attendance - Learn about IEP meetings; when team members may be excused from a meeting, and what parents and the school district must do before a team member may be excused.

IDEA 2004: Requirements for Highly Qualified Special Ed Teachers - Learn about new requirements for special ed teachers; limits of what teachers who are not highly qualified may do; how teachers can demonstrate their competence.

More articles about IDEA 2004.

Over the next few weeks, we'll continue to add more "What You Need to Know about IDEA 2004" articles to IDEA 2004 at Wrightslaw on these topics:

* Evaluations & reevaluations
* Discrepancy models & Response to Intervention (RTI) models to identify children with learning disabilities
* Procedural safeguards
* Early intervening services
* New requirements for notices, timelines, due process hearings

IDEA 2004 at Wrightslaw will help you find answers to your questions.

IDEA 2004 Training in Richmond - Learn about early bird discounts, registration & fees, the "meet and great" reception /cocktail party on September 16 (with guest of honor), accommodations, CLEs, and logistics.

Register Online l Mail & Fax Registration

Wrightslaw IDEA 2004 Programs

IDEA 2004 programs focus on key provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, emphasizing changes from IDEA 97. Participants will learn about the history of special education law, Congressional Findings and Purposes, new requirements for evaluations, IEPs, and new procedural requirements. You will learn about new requirements for the "Due Process Complaint Notice" and "Resolution (IEP) Session."

You will also learn about issues in Schaffer v. Weast case and how the decision by the U. S. Supreme Court may shift the balance of power in IEP meetings and due process hearings. Oral argument is scheduled for October 5; the Court may issue a decision by mid-November or December 2005.

Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Programs

Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, educators, health care providers, advocates, and attorneys who represent children with disabilities. Our goal is provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to advocate effectively for children with disabilities. Overview.

We offer a selection of programs taught by nationally-recognized experts in the field of special education law and advocacy. Program Descriptions

In Success Stories, learn how other parents are using strategies, common sense and resources from Wrightslaw to resolve problems and get better services for their children.

How I Learned to Get Services by Asking Questions - "When I began to advocate for my daughter, I supported requests with tons of documentation. I was surprised when the "powers that be" would not provide the services and supports. Why was I having this problem? What could I do? Then I realized that the educators viewed me as a 'Know it All Parent' . . ." Read story.

More success stories.