A Webinar Series Sponsored by Goalbook
In this webinar series featuring renowned special education experts, we address the most important challenges faced by special education administrators in today's environment.
The nationally recognized speakers will provide real-world guidance based on research, best practices, and compliance to help you navigate the unique circumstances of the 2024–25 school year.
You’ll walk away from each session with fresh ideas, key concepts, and practical takeaways that you can implement with your educators and providers to help every student succeed.
Who should attend?
- Directors of Special Education/Special Services
- Supervisors of Special Education/Special Services
What is the cost?
It’s free! The Spotlight Series for Special Education Administrators is sponsored by Goalbook as part of our commitment to support the special education community and provided at no cost to you.
January 14, 2025
Transforming Co-Teaching with UDL: The “Journey Mapping” Strategy for Special Education Leaders
Featured Presenters
Brandon Wright, Esq.
Special Education Counsel to Boards of Education and School Districts
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Brandon K. Wright is a partner in the firm of Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, Ltd. Brandon focuses his practice on school law, having developed a particular interest in the field of special education, due process, and cooperative school districts. He regularly speaks at local, state, and national conferences on special education. He has served as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Southern Illinois University, as well as at Eastern Illinois University. Brandon currently serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys. Brandon holds both a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in educational administration.
Jose Martín, Esq.
Special Education Counsel to Boards of Education and School Districts
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Jose Martín is a partner with the school law firm of Richards Lindsay & Martín. For over 30 years, Martín has focused exclusively on matters involving the education of students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Texas School of Law. He has tried cases at the due process, district court, and court of appeals levels. He currently serves as a contributor to the national LRP web-based publication Special Ed Connection and presents numerous sessions on disabilities laws to audiences at local, regional, state, online, and national conferences.
Susan Shapiro
UDL Implementation Specialist at CAST
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In her role as an Implementation Specialist for CAST, Susan partners with educators to implement the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to practice. For over 25 years, Susan has consulted with in-service educators on issues related to inclusive learning design in her roles at both the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UCED) and at the University of Vermont’s Center for Disability and Community Inclusion (UCED). She taught as an adjunct professor in the Special Education Department at the University of New Hampshire’s Graduate School for nearly a decade. Susan’s earliest jobs were in public elementary schools where she worked as a special educator, a general education classroom teacher, and as one of New Hampshire’s first Inclusion Facilitators.
Transforming Co-Teaching with UDL: The “Journey Mapping” Strategy for Special Education Leaders
Many special education administrators face the challenge of ensuring that co-teaching is truly collaborative and inclusive. Too often, the general educator designs the lesson while the special educator only supports its delivery, missing key opportunities to leverage Universal Design for Learning (UDL) during the planning process. This webinar introduces “Journey Mapping,” a strategic planning protocol that special education leaders can use to bring general and special educators together early in the lesson design phase. Journey Mapping helps co-teaching become co-designing, ensuring a more accessible and equitable learning environment for all students. Special education leaders will leave this session with actionable learnings they can turnkey to their teams, including how to:
- Use UDL as a shared language for instructional design between general and special educators
- Apply Journey Mapping to identify where all students need more options for access, engagement, and agency
- Pinpoint where students with disabilities require accessible educational materials (AEM), assistive technology (AT), or specially-designed instruction (SDI)
The Updated Administrator’s Guide to Compliant Prior Written Notices: The Why, What, When, and How of PWNs
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
What Special Education Administrators Need to Know About the Legal Landscape for Transition Services in 2025 and Beyond
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
Quick Registration
Please click each session that interests you and register for each session separately.
- Transforming Co-Teaching with UDL: The “Journey Mapping” Strategy for Special Education Leaders
- The Updated Administrator’s Guide to Compliant Prior Written Notices: The Why, What, When, and How of PWNs
- What Special Education Administrators Need to Know About the Legal Landscape for Transition Services in 2025 and Beyond