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Filling In the Blanks: Section 504 and IDEA Legal Updates

Want to know the latest regarding IDEA legal updates? Do you have questions that you would like answered concerning IDEA legal issues? You will not want to miss this informative part of the session!

Are you using information to form Section 504 policies and procedures for your district that is outdated or based on myth? Do you have a firm, defendable understanding of when and how to make decisions regarding identification and services under Section 504? Join us for this part of the session and determine if your district is compliant in decision-making under Section 504!

Often, school administrators and school personnel are at a loss as to how Section 504 decisions for eligibility and services should be made. When requests for accommodations are received, educators find themselves uncertain as to how to proceed. A well-organized Section 504 program will assist district staff to understand the processes for determining when students are eligible for services and the nondiscriminatory program requirements.

Participants will benefit from this session by –

•  Gaining information regarding the latest legal issues under IDEA 2004 in Mississippi and nationally.

•  Being knoedgeable of the current issues surrounding the implementation of IDEA 2004 and recommendations on how to avoid the pitfalls.

•  Working through decision-making steps for determining when a student may be in need of services under Section 504.

•  Reviewing the necessary procedures needed for procedural safeguards, notices, eligibility, and a Section 504 plan.

•  Receiving answers to frequently asked Section 504-related questions regarding discipline, access to extracurricular activities and transportation in alternative school programs.

•  Understanding the relationship between IDEA, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:

CAROLYN BLACK is the Director of the Center for Special Education Services (C-SPED) that provides a network of services designed for educators. Ms. Black consults with districts on the development and implementation of policies and procedures under IDEA, as well as, provides training on inclusion practices and research-based strategies. She is a frequent presenter and speaker on subjects related to the implementation of IDEA, Section 504, Inclusion and Differentiated Instruction.

JAMES A. KEITH is a partner in the law firm of Adams and Reese, LLP in Jackson, Mississippi and consults with C-SPED on a variety of topics. He serves as board attorney for school districts throughout Mississippi, providing advice and counsel on school law issues such as employ­ment matters and education of the disabled. Mr. Keith is a frequent speaker at national and state conferences and has conducted numerous seminars on legal issues for local school personnel and attorneys.

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Cracking the Code: Unraveling the Combination Between the
TST Data, LSC Review, and Eligibility

Data, data, data! How do teams make sound decisions using the data from each step of the process when students are struggling or not being successful in regular education? If you work with the Three Tier Intervention Process or serve on a Teacher Support Team, Local Survey Committee (LSC) or eligibility determination team, you will not want to miss this session!

Making sure the appropriate data is collected throughout the intervention process to enable the LSC and eligibility teams to make sound decisions can be difficult. Understanding the link between the roles of each team and how to make decisions based on the data can be confusing and complex. This interactive session will provide participants with opportunities to interpret data at all levels of the process – TST to LSC to Eligibility.

Participants will benefit from this outstanding session by gaining answers to the following questions:

•  What are the interactive roles of the TST, LSC and eligibility teams?

•  What data (i.e., forms, progress monitoring) is needed in the Three Tier Intervention Process to support a referral to the LSC?

•  How does the LSC verify and interpret the data (including progress monitoring) received from the TST?

•  How does the assessment team use the data to determine what assessment instruments should be utilized for eligibility?

•  How does the eligibility team analyze all the data gathered – from the Tier process to standardized assessment – to make the final eligibility decision?

•  What decision rules should be used, including current progress monitoring data for reevaluation (i.e., Developmental Delay or ensuring a current ruling is still appropriate)?

•  What checklists can be used to assist the different teams to ensure the steps and data collection of the process can be defended legally or through the monitoring visits?

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:

DIANNE ENIS is the Director of Network Services for C-SPED. Ms. Enis is a MDE and NASP certified school psychologist. She began her career by serving as a school psychologist in a public school. She retired from the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Special Education, where she provided training in the areas of evaluation and eligibility. She frequently provides training on C-SPED's compliant Teacher Support Team process, positive behavioral interventions and cultural diversity.

CECILIA LEACH is a consultant with C-SPED and works with districts throughout the State. She recently retired as the Director of Special Education for the Senatobia School District after twenty-two years of public service. Ms. Leach has expertise in the relationship between IDEA and NCLB, student data analysis for improvement in achievement, “Habits of the Mind,” and issues pertaining to IDEA and Section 504. She has presented in State and out-of –state on the “Nine Essential Instructional Strategies That Work” and is a valued resource in working with teachers regarding effective inclusion practices.

DEBORAH A. THOMPSON is an educational consultant and adjunct instructor with the University of South Alabama. Ms. Thompson retired from the Moss Point School District after twenty-nine years of educational experience. She served in the positions of Assistant Superintendent, Director of Student Services, and Special Education Director , as well as, in other areas of school administration with oversight responsibilities for numerous types of programs. Ms. Thompson provides training on a number of topics, including Teacher Support Teams, Individualized Instructional Planning, Differentiated Instruction and Effective Schools and Classroom Management.

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