Special Education Spotlight Series for Administrators

All teachers play a critical role in supporting students with disabilities, yet many new educators enter the field without the necessary tools to design instruction that removes barriers and fosters meaningful access to learning. Join Dr. Katie Novak in this session to explore how special education administrators can leverage the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to support new teachers—helping them proactively design instruction that works for students with the most significant support needs. Learn how to integrate UDL into teacher onboarding, provide practical resources to new teachers, and equip school leaders with tools to support all learners. During this session, you’ll gain:

• A deeper insight into the UDL framework and how Special Education Administrators can leverage it to empower all teachers to proactively design for students with disabilities.
• Strategies, tools, and resources for embedding UDL into district onboarding plans and ongoing professional development to set new teachers up for success.
• Guidance on using UDL look-fors to help administrators support and coach teachers in implementing inclusive instructional practices.

Traditional behavior management in schools often prioritizes compliance and control while often failing to address the root causes of behavioral challenges, leaving administrators and educators stuck in reactive cycles. This session will challenge special education administrators to rethink behavior through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), shifting from a discipline-first approach to a proactive, instructional approach that supports engagement, self-regulation, and executive functioning. By identifying environmental barriers and implementing UDL-aligned strategies, administrators can foster more inclusive, predictable, and supportive learning spaces that reduce behavioral incidents and empower students. By attending, you’ll learn:

• Key environmental and instructional barriers that contribute to behavioral challenges.
• Turnkey UDL principles that can be applied to behavior support, moving beyond compliance to engagement.
• Concrete strategies for fostering student self-regulation and autonomy.
• Proven tools and conversation starters to support teachers in redesigning learning environments to better meet student needs.

The Prior Written Notice (PWN) requirement stands as one of IDEA’s most crucial procedural components, yet it frequently becomes a source of compliance challenges for special education departments. With each IEP team decision requiring clear documentation of actions, refusals, and rationales, administrators must equip their teams with practical tactics for creating legally defensible PWNs. In Part 1 of this 2-Part series, special education attorney Jose Martín will unpack the complexities of the core elements of effective PWNs in today’s environment. By attending, you’ll deepen your understanding of the why, when, and how of PWNs and walk away with:

• Streamlined frameworks to draft comprehensive PWNs that satisfy all IDEA requirements in minimal time
• Efficient systems for determining PWN responsibility and optimal completion timelines
• Recent legal rulings to identify emerging best practices in PWN development
• Practical tactics to avoid common procedural errors that expose districts to complaints
• Turnkey training protocols to elevate PWN quality and consistency across your department

Despite being a fundamental IDEA requirement, PWNs often lack essential information or are implemented incorrectly, leaving districts vulnerable to legal disputes. In Part 2 of this 2-Part series, special education attorney Jose Martín will dive deeper into PWNs and illuminate the frequently overlooked aspects of PWNs while providing practical, implementation-ready strategies for your team. His expertise will help you transform this compliance obligation into a powerful communication tool that protects your district and enhances parent partnerships. By attending this session, you’ll leave with:

• Real-life scenarios and relevant case law providing fresh insights on effective PWN implementation
• Time-efficient techniques your team can use to draft PWNs that deliver meaningful content using the fewest possible words
• Plug-and-play systems defining who should complete PWNs and optimal timing for drafting
• Tips to distinguish between proper PWN content for different situations, including child-find, placement disputes, and eligibility determinations

Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDR) involving students with ADHD, autism, and emotional disabilities present unique challenges that can quickly escalate to due process hearings if handled incorrectly. With increasing parent advocacy in these areas, special education administrators need sophisticated strategies to navigate the complex relationship between disability characteristics and behavioral incidents. In this targeted session, education attorney Rebecca Bailey will dissect the MDR process through disability-specific lenses, examining recent case law trends and providing practical frameworks for making legally sound determinations. You’ll walk away with concrete tools to strengthen your district’s approach to these high-stakes decisions. During this session, you’ll learn:

• How courts evaluate manifestation determinations for ADHD, autism, and emotional disabilities via recent case law
• Strategic approaches to MDR team discussions that reduce legal vulnerability
• Practical tactics for addressing parent challenges to your MDR conclusions
• Essential documentation practices that support defensible manifestation decisions

IEPs for students with Dyslexia face increasing legal scrutiny as parents become more informed about reading science and evidence-based interventions. Special education administrators must ensure their teams understand the precise legal requirements and instructional components that distinguish a compliant IEP for students with Dyslexia from one vulnerable to due process challenges. This session will equip you with practical frameworks to guide your staff in crafting IEPs that demonstrate both legal compliance and educational appropriateness for students with dyslexia. Education attorney Rebecca Bailey will share proven strategies through real-world scenarios, helping you build confidence in your team’s ability to develop defensible IEPs that withstand legal review. By attending this session, you’ll learn:

• How to think through the eyes of the courts when examining dyslexia-related legal challenges
• Precision techniques your team can use to craft IEP components that meet unique dyslexia needs
• Proven collaboration strategies your team can use to strengthen the legal defensibility of IEPs for students with Dyslexia
• Common legal pitfalls in IEPs for students with Dyslexia and proven methods to avoid them