Special Education Spotlight Series for Administrators

Following a parent’s participation in an IEP team meeting, the IDEA mandates that they receive Prior Written Notice (PWN) for every proposed action or denial made by the team. This notice must specify areas that include the rationale behind the decision, the evidence used, and any alternative options considered. Unfortunately, PWNs often lack the essential information or are used incorrectly, leaving school districts vulnerable to legal conflicts. In this session, education attorney Jose Martín will shed light on the commonly overlooked aspects of PWNs for special education administrators. By participating, you’ll leave with a better understanding of:

• Useful techniques your team can use to complete PWNs that include the most meaningful content in the least amount of words
• Plug-and-play systems outlining who should complete the PWNs and when they should be drafted
• Real-life scenarios and case law providing fresh insights on effective PWNs

Writing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that truly support student success while meeting legal requirements can be a complex challenge. As a special education administrator, coaching your team to excel in this critical task requires effective strategies and practical tools.

In this transformative workshop, special education attorney Betsey Helfrich and special education consultant Tiffiney Smith will introduce a step-by-step approach to coaching your teachers in crafting high-quality, legally compliant IEPs in 2025 and beyond. Their proven method ensures every IEP component—Present Levels, Goals, and Instruction—is legally compliant and aligned for coherence, collaboration, and improved outcomes for students with disabilities. In this engaging and actionable session, you will:

• Master the “Golden Thread” concept and learn how to connect all parts of the IEP for clarity, coherence, and compliance.
• Learn a quick and easy test you can teach your staff to ensure they’re writing meaningful Present Levels statements.
• A specific framework your educators can use to ensure all goals address individual student needs and align with state standards.
• Take away key insights from recent rulings and how they impact IEP drafting and compliance.
• Discover practical strategies to use data in progress monitoring for meaningful adjustments that drive student success.

The ultimate goal of IEP teams and educators throughout a student’s academic journey is to set them up for lifelong success and provide suitable transition services. Yet, when not properly planned and executed, transition efforts can quickly become legal battlegrounds. In this session, school attorney Brandon K. Wright will help demystify the legal landscape of transition planning by spotlighting key legal requirements and best practices through the lens of agency guidance and case law from around the country. You’ll gain useful information you can share with your IEP teams to make effective plans that help your students transition to post-secondary education, work, and independent living. By attending this session, you’ll learn:

• Often overlooked legal requirements and best practices for transition assessments
• How courts and hearing officers have viewed the sufficiency of schools’ transition efforts
• The link between transition services and assistive technology
• Turnkey methods to keep your transition planning future-oriented and results-driven