Home  > Seminars & Training > Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp, Portland, ME (April 4-5, 2008)

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Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp
with
Peter Wright, Esq. and Pamela Darr Wright
Portland, Maine , April 4-5, 2008

This two-day Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp, a Wrightslaw training program with Pete Wright and Pam Wright, is being sponsored by the Maine Parent Federation.

The program will be held at:

Keeley the Katerer
178 Warren Avenue
Portland, ME 04103

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
8:00-9:00Registration
9:00-10:30
  • Introductions, Agenda, Pre-test
  • Overview: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-97) and the Reauthorized IDEA of 2004
10:30-10:45Break
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

12:00-1:00Lunch
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)
2:30-2:45Break
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
4:00-4:30Questions 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

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

Advocacy Strategies (con’t)

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


Registration

Early Bird Registration* (Before March 15)
Regular Registration* (After March 15)
Individual
$100
$125
Couple
$125
$175
Individual w/Scholarship**
$25
$25
Couple w/Scholarship**
$50
$50
Professional
$150
$175
Additional Professional from Same Agency
$75
$90

*Members can subtract $10 from registration fees.

Download the flyer/registration form.

Register online.

Your registration includes continental breakfast and lunch, break refreshments, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd edition and Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, Second Edition ($50.00 combined retail value). Participants will also receive a copy of Chapter 101: Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty.

Note: Registration deadline: March 31, 2008. Pre-registration is required.

Questions? For more information, visit http://www.mpf.org, call MPF at (800) 870-7746 or by email to psteeves@mpf.org or ddewitt@mpf.org.

Additional Information: 6 Continuing Legal Education (CLE's) credits have been approved for this conference. CEU’S (Fee Applies) and GLE’s have also been approved.

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


Logistics, Directions, Accommodations

Directions

Keeley the Katerer, 178 Warren Avenue, Portland, ME 04103.

From Maine Turpike I-95: Traveling north or south, take Exit 48. Turn right onto Riverside Street. At second light, turn right onto Warren Avenue. You'll find Keeley's one mile down on the right.

From I-295: Traveling north or south, take Exit 6B. Follow Forest Avenue north for 2.5 miles. You'll see McDonald's on your left. At the next light, turn left onto Warren Avenue. You'll find Keeley's 1/4 mile down on the left.

Click here for directions from MapQuest.

Parking

Parking is free and available onsite.

Airports

The Portland International Jetport

Airport is approximately 4.6 miles from the conference location.

Accommodations

Verriool's/Howard Johnsons
155 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103
207-774-5861

Holiday Inn - Portland West
81 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103
207-774-5601

Comfort Inn Airport
90 Main Mall Road
South Portland, ME 04106
207-775-0409


 

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