No school administrator wants to see a parental request for a due process hearing. In this 90-minute, recorded audio conference you'll learn how to identify key "signals" that a disagreement is brewing that may cause a parent to challenge the district's special education program.

School attorney Jan E. Tomsky will discuss how to read the signals and resolve issues early and informally. Or, if due process is inevitable, you'll discover how early identification of red flags can give the district time to better prepare its defense.

Often, districts can stay out of hearings if they are willing to examine their own programs with a critical eye, listen to and communicate with parents, and adhere to procedural safeguards -- and if they pay attention to early signs of trouble. You and your staff will learn how to respond to red flags, such as when a parent:

• Asks to inspect a child's educational records
• Requests an independent educational evaluation
• Brings an attorney or advocate to an IEP team meeting
• Audiotapes an IEP team meeting
• Complains about staff qualifications or behavior
• Removes the child from public school and places privately
• And more