Do Special Ed Judges Need Law Degrees?

In a bid to address a shortage of special education judges, one state is proposing allowing individuals without law degrees to hear student complaints. Read More;

Survey: Family income affects IDEA due process

Higher-income families are more likely to access due process protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, according to a recent survey of more than 500 parents. "That's a huge problem, to see that parents who come from low-income backgrounds have less access to these safeguards," said Meghan Burke of the University of Illinois who conducted the research. Disability Scoop (1/14)    http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/01/14/in-practice-idea-remedies/19963/

Families Turn To Social Media With Special Ed Complaints

Social media shaming increasingly is a tactic parents employ when calling, emailing or sitting through IEP meetings does not get the results they seek.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/10/06/families-social-media-sped/19732/

Navigating Special Ed Disputes in Schools

Independent facilitators, independent evaluations and mediated meetings can help reduce the risk of litigation and due-process hearings between parents of students receiving special-education services and school districts, lawyers said. "It levels the playing field for parents, they can feel like the school's not the only one in charge -- you have a facilitator who's going to help you work more collegially," said Wayne Steedman, a Baltimore attorney who represents children with disabilities. District Administration magazine (10/2013) http://www.districtadministration.com/article/navigating-special-education-disputes-schools

CADRE Webinar Recording: The Impact of the Apology on Communication & Negotiation

 

On November 14^th, CADRE (Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education) hosted a free webinar with guest presenter Nina Meierding. A national leader in the field of conflict resolution, Nina has provided training and mediation services for over twenty-eight years and has a strong background in the field of special education. She has a Masters in Special Education, worked as a special education teacher before becoming a lawyer, and was an advocate for parents and students before transitioning to mediation. Nina is now the mediation partner for the Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS). http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/meierdingwebinar.cfm