Thought Leadership

IEP Spotlight: Dos and Don’ts of Annual Goals

Today, we continue a series of articles focused on the components of a great IEP. We previously posted about the importance of and tips for successful IEP implementation, progress monitoring, and the statement of PLAAFP. In this post, we will cover the annual statement of goals, which is another critical component of the IEP. Like the statement of PLAAFP, the statement of annual goals is an outcome determinative element of the IEP, meaning it can be the reason a hearing officer finds the district did or did not offer FAPE. Keep reading to understand what is required and how to ensure every IEP includes an effective and compliant statement of annual goals.

The post IEP Spotlight: Dos and Don’ts of Annual Goals appeared first on Special Education Spotlight.

Collaboration for the Win! Title IX and Special Education

The proposed changes to the Title IX regulations require ongoing consultation between the Title IX Coordinator and special education team

Collaboration for the Win! Title IX and Special Education in K-12

Assuming they are finalized as proposed, the new Title IX rules will for the first time require ongoing “consultation” between the Title IX Coordinator and special education team when a party to a Title IX complaint is a student receiving special education or related services. But if you work in Title IX or special education in K-12 public schools, “collaboration” should already be a part of your vocabulary in this context. There are so many complex issues at the intersection of Title IX and special education that make collaboration between Title IX and special education teams essential. Are you doing all you need to do to protect your educational institution from legal risks involving Title IX and special education?

Watch our complimentary webinar to find out! Keep reading for more information.

The post Collaboration for the Win! Title IX and Special Education in K-12 appeared first on Title IX Tips.

The Supreme Court Finds IDEA Exhaustion Not Required When Parents Seek Money Damages Under ADA and Section 504

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held today that plaintiffs may file federal lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 seeking money damages without first exhausting the IDEA administrative procedures, even when the underlying dispute is the student’s special education programming. As we previewed in a post following the oral argument, this decision is a departure from current Fifth Circuit law and opens the door to parents filing federal lawsuits seeking monetary relief in special education disputes without filing for due process under the IDEA. As explained below, whether this path is truly advantageous for parents is uncertain.

The post The Supreme Court Finds IDEA Exhaustion Not Required When Parents Seek Money Damages Under ADA and Section 504 appeared first on Special Education Spotlight.

Thinking Back: The Top 10 Supreme Court Cases Impacting Education

What Supreme Court cases have had the greatest impact on public education over the last seven decades?

The post Thinking Back: The Top 10 Supreme Court Cases Impacting Education appeared first on The Oldest Blog.

The Satanic Conundrum: How to Respond When the Satanic Temple Comes Knocking at the Schoolhouse Gates

What can school districts do when the Satanic Temple (or any other group) wants to meet on school property or distribute their literature to students at school?

The post The Satanic Conundrum: How to Respond When the Satanic Temple Comes Knocking at the Schoolhouse Gates appeared first on The Oldest Blog.