Introductions

• IDEA History and Overview
• Section 1400 Findings, Purpose
• Section 1401 Definitions: Special Education, Related Services, LD, etc.

• Section 1412 Extended School Year, Child Find, Least Restrictive Environment/Mainstreaming/Inclusion, Private Placements, Statewide Assessments
• Understanding Tests and Measurements, and the Bell Curve, Standard Scores, Scale Scores, % ranks, Grade Equivalent, Age Equivalent

• Section 1414 Evaluations and IEPs
  
• Section 1415 Prior Written Notice, Procedural Safeguards Notice, Mediation, Due Process Hearing, Appeal, Discipline, Age of Majority
• Section 504, ADA, FERPA
• NCLB No Child Left Behind
• Litigation: Special Ed Caselaw
• S.M.A.R.T. IEPs
• Special Ed Advocacy for the Parent, Advocate, and Parent’s Attorney
• Legal, systemic and “school culture” obstacles to compliance with IDEA-04

The Parent as the Special Ed Manager and Expert

• Developing the Master Plan
• Knowing the Rules of the Game
• Recognizing and Avoiding the Fatal Obstacles
• How to Deal with Conflict, a Healthy and Normal event
• Crisis, Emergency, Help
• Organization of the Child’s File

• Rule of Adverse Assumptions
• Private Evaluations
• Paper Trails
• The Letter to the Stranger
• 5 Ws + H + E
• Preparation for Meetings
• Meeting Strategies