PLACE Workshop

Just a reminder that we will be having Ellen Chambers, advocate and founder of Sped Watch TOMORROW NIGHT 4/15: 7 pm, School Committee Room, Longmeadow Highschool, 127 Grassy Gutter Road, Longmeadow. Please email me if you are planning to attend this workshop (even if you have already done so) so I can get a final headcount and prepare accordingly.

Your Special Education Rights

A basic understanding of the special education process & the laws that govern that process is critical to a parent's ability to work in partnership with schools on behalf of their student with special needs. We are very fortunate to have one of the state's most knowledgeable advocates to be doing this presentation for our families. This workshop promises to be informative and in depth and I hope that parents will make every effort to attend. The more parents understand the special education system and process, the better their child's outcome.

At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

* Identify federal & state special education regulations

* Identify resources where they can learn more about special education rights

* Define the basic legal requirements that govern special education referrals, evaluations, & eligibility determinations

* Define the basic legal requirements that govern the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

* Define the basic procedural safeguards provided by special education law

* Understand the extent of their right to participate in educational decision making

* Identify the resources available to help settle disputes about a student's educational programming

* Identify the steps to take if a violation of special education law, policy or procedure is suspected