By Christina Sepiol, J.D., Ed.D.

Using judicial and hearing officers' decisions, and U.S. Department of Education guidance, as a springboard for discussion, this interactive training tool prepares staff to address the everyday situations they face. Use it in staff meetings or professional development sessions to get everyone problem-solving around common legal issues under IDEA and Section 504 before they have to confront those issues.

After reading about a situation that led to litigation, staff engage with the case by isolating key factors, identifying what went wrong and predicting the ruling — each writing their thoughts in the pamphlet to spur idea-sharing. After learning the ruling and its rationale, staff get strategies they can use to avoid similar missteps as they address:

• Parents' participation in the special education process
• Transportation and other related services
• IEP goals, objectives and implementation
• Section 504 identification, evaluations and reevaluations
• Educating students during emergency school building closures
• And more