PRECONFERENCE SESSIONS

Orton-Gillingham Subscriber Course
Elaine Holden, Ph.D.
Audience: All
This course consists of instruction in multi-sensory reading for dyslexia and related reading disorders. The training will include all the components of the Subscriber Level course for the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, as well as instruction in derivational morphology for vocabulary, systematic spelling instruction, a demonstration reading lesson, and hands-on reading testing practice.
Limit: no limit

Advocate Training: From IEP Table to Supreme Court – In Depth Analysis of Forest Grove and Winkelman
Sonja Kerr, Esq.; and Pat Howey, Advocate, IN; Becca Devine, Advocate, PA
Audience: Advocates
This training is for experienced advocates (more than 4 years) who have a good working knowledge of the IDEA and its procedures. The first half of the session includes review and discussion of two recent Supreme Court cases that impact the work of advocates. The first case discussed is Forest Grove v. T.S., in which the Court permitted reimbursement to a student’s parents even though the student had never been in special education. Winkelman v. Parma City School District, where the Supreme Court addressed the right of parents to represent themselves pro se and their children in federal courts, is also discussed. Participants examine what occurred at the IEP Table, the initial hearing, the federal court, the circuit court, and the Supreme Court as well as “post-Forest Grove” and “post-Winkelman” cases. The impact of parent actions from the IEP Table and how they influenced the case, and as time permits, differences and approaches and options for advocating on various and timely topics are discussed – including 1) evaluation and eligibility, 2) discipline, and 3) private schools.
Limit: 60

Attorney Survival Training 2010: A Boot Camp for New Lawyers Entering the Practice of Special Education Law.
Torin Togut, Esq., Jodi Siegel, Esq., Selene Almazan, Esq.
Audience: Attorneys
This session includes an intensive overview of IDEA of 2004 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as a discussion of salient special education case law. Participants learn practical skills for handing special education cases with an emphasis on mastering skills from the initial client interview to a due process hearing. This session is led by experienced practitioners in special education law in both large and small groups.
Limit: 30

Skills Training for Due Process Hearings
Franklin J. Hickman, Esq.,Barbara Ebenstein, Esq., and Jennifer Laviano, Esq.
Audience: Attorneys
This program is designed for attorneys familiar with the basics of IDEA who want to focus on practice skills for due process hearings. Participants will review records, identify key issues, and establish a trial plan with a selection of witnesses and exhibits. There will be discussion and demonstration of how to prepare and organize direct and cross examinations, including guidelines on cross-examining expert witnesses. Each participant will complete an opening statement, direct examination, and cross examination. Participants will be given individual critique during each exercise by experienced special education attorneys.
Limit: 30

Advanced Training for IDEA Cases
Michele Kule-Korgood, Esq.
Audience: Open to experienced attorneys
Designed for attorneys who are familiar with IDEA basics, this program focuses on strategic analysis and development of effective due process strategies. Included in this training is an identification of non-traditional or alternative strategies (e.g., political, media, community based and/or administrative) which may supplement or substitute for due process hearings. Participants will identify systemic issues and review alternatives for establishing a record for possible appeal in state and federal court. Registrants must have participated in at least two due process hearings in order to qualify for this session.
Limit: 20

Legal Aid Attorneys
Dawn Smith, Esq. , Craig Goodmark, JD
Audience: Attorney
The pre-conference “Public Interest Track” is an intensive training that teaches the new special education public interest lawyer those legal issues that can develop into special education litigation for low income students and their families. The training covers special education litigation from establishing facts for a winning case to crafting a workable remedy for the low income client.
Limit: 30

Research Skills Training: Practical Experience in Finding What You Need
Linda Karr O’Connor
Audience: All
This is a hands-on session on research. Through demonstrations and exercises with expert supervision, participants learn effective online search techniques and the use of databases to locate peer-reviewed research, and how to compile a legislative history. The class is led by an experienced law librarian knowledgeable about special education issues. We are pleased to announce that the course facility is being provided by the Washington University School of Law, easily reached from the conference hotel on the Metro Light Rail Line. This class is open to attorneys, advocates, and parents with demonstrated computer proficiency. This is a fast-paced class that requires participants to use a variety of databases and search platforms.
Limit: 12

Legal and Effective Transition Planning After IDEA 2004
Catherine Merino Reisman, Esq. and Joshua Kershenbaum, JD
Audience: All
This session provides an overview of IDEA's transition requirements, and the difference between "outcome-oriented" and "results-oriented" processes. How to develop appropriate transition content for the IEP is examined using an interactive, hands-on "case study." Some familiarity with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act recommended.
Limit: no limit

Selecting, Paying, Working With and Preparing Experts
Andrew Feinstein, Esq., Judith Gran, Esq.
Audience: Advocates and Attorneys
Cases often rely heavily on the testimony of the expert witness. The expert you retain can make or break your case. This session examines the critical nature of experts in Due Process, and includes: how to determine what kinds of experts are needed for the nature of the relief sought and presenting factors; discussion of benefits and drawbacks of expert types; strategies for funding; and making the most of school funded evaluations. The session is interactive and includes small group exercise and discussion.
Limit: 30

Federal Litigation: What to Do When Your Slam Dunk Case Crashes.
Alice K. Nelson, Esq., Mark Martin, Esq.
Audience: Attorney
This workshop is for attorneys who have at a minimum some IDEA due process litigation experience. The program focuses on litigation strategies for use in federal court. Topics include standards of review, additionalevidence, developing the record, complaint drafting, dispositive motions, alternative dispute resolution, and attorneys' fees. The course features use of an actual case for learning purposes. This course is designed for "graduates" of COPAA's IEP and Due Process courses. Exceptions to the graduation requirementsfor experienced attorneys will be made on an individual basis. Registrants are asked to complete a pre-conference questionnaire to determine their level of experience as well as to review a due process order prior to the conference.
Limit: no limit

Assuring Every Child is Safe in the Schoolhouse - Session Cancelled
Denise Marshall, MS, Kristine Sullivan, Esq.
Audience: All
COPAA is at the forefront of the national advocacy effort to expose the extent of abuse and ensure that federal legislation be enacted and every available measure taken to stop the use of unnecessary and abusive restraint, seclusion rooms, and all forms of dangerous interventions used on children in our nation's schools. No child should be subjected to neglect, abuse, or physical harm in the name of treatment or under the guise of providing educational or therapeutic services. Restraints, seclusion, and abuse are neither effective nor educational. This session provides specific information regarding the depth and nature of the current issues relating to aversive interventions gleaned from the COPAA report Unsafe in the Schoolhouse, and other recent national reports and research. Participants are also provided with specific information on: 1) the current status of legislation and implications for practice, 2) relevant case history review, and 3) specific strategies to prepare attorneys and advocates to represent families to ensure that children with disabilities receive effective educational services and combat the restraint, seclusion, and abuse of students with disabilities.
Limit: no limit

Examining and Cross-Examining Experts
Andrew Feinstein, Esq., Alice K. Nelson, Esq.
Audience: Attorneys
This session is for individuals interested in hands-on practice in examining and cross-examining experts. Participants assume role of a School Board lawyer, a parent lawyer, an expert, and a hearing officer using a case study. Direct Examination and Cross Examination of Expert are covered. Direct Examination includes information regarding: Voir Dire, qualification requirements, placing basis of opinion on record, highlighting opinion, inoculation strategies, succinctness, and anticipating objections. Cross Examination of Expert covers: methods of impeachment, extrinsic evidence, use of contradictions, challenging qualifications, bias, and use of objection. Each participant will practice direct and cross examination and receive constructive critique from facilitators.
Limit: 24

I before EE, the Benefits of an Independent Educational Evaluation
N Jane DuBovy, M.A., J.D, Ann E. Simun, PsyD, Clinical Neuropsychologist
Audience: All
This session covers Independent Education Evaluations (IEEs) in detail, specifically using psychological assessments in preparing for an Individualized Education Program(IEP) or Due Process. Identifying elements of a strong IEE, working with experts, challenging SD reports, and strategically using the IEE within the law are also covered. Basic primer on Neuropsychology and Psychoeducational Assessments and statistics and psychometrics are also included.
Limit: no limit


Individualized Education Programs
Jon Zimring, Esq.
Audience: All
IDEA has since its initial passage the right of informed consent. This presentation addresses this IDEA right by examining its origin. meaning and application. The use of the right of consent in evaluations, reevaluations, IEP development, placement and access are addressed with suggestions for managing these issues and obtaining access to all relevant information for a parent’s right of decision making. The constitutional and common-law rights of consent are addressed supplemental to the IDEA right, and the right of access to all necessary information.
Limit: no limit

Conducting Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Designing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
Carol Quirk, EdD
Audience: All
When students exhibit challenging behavior, the result can be not only interference with learning, but also removal from the general education classroom and recommendation of a more restrictive placement. A functional behavior assessment allows the team to develop a behavior intervention plan designed to (a) teach the student new skills and “replacement” behaviors, (b) rearrange the environment to eliminate the need for the student to resort to challenging behavior, and (c) prescribe emergency procedures to ensure safety and the de-escalation of dangerous behaviors. In this session, the presenters will explain how to conduct and write useful FBAs, design effective BIPs, write meaningful IEP goals, and evaluate the effectiveness of such plans. Possible suggestions for due process preparation will also be discussed.
Limit: no limit