Special Education Law — Learning Lunch Series

4 Sessions

Noon - 1:00 P.M., October 22, November 5, December 10, and January 7

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Please join us for this complimentary webinar series, as attorneys Sherrice Perry and Matt Bell provide insight on four critical special education topics.

  • OCT 22- Seclusion and Restraint. The fundamentals of Wisconsin’s seclusion and restraint law and clarification on common misconceptions
  • NOV 5 - Shortened School Days. What IEP teams should consider when deciding to shorten a school day
  • DEC 10 - Student Behavior. Strategies for navigating challenging student behavior
  • JAN 7 - Open Enrollment. Working through open enrollment considerations for students with disabilities

Full session descriptions can be found below.

You may register for any or all of these sessions. You are encouraged to invite others in your organization who might find this information useful.

The Sessions

Seclusion and Restraint

Legal Updates and Considerations that impact your educational practice

Oct 22 | Noon - 1:00 PM

Explore the fundamentals, common misconceptions, and the legal implications of the use of seclusion and restraint in schools. This session will cover:

  • Recent Department of Public Instruction's IDEA state complaint decisions regarding what constitutes seclusion and restraint
  • When use of seclusion and restraint is appropriate
  • Post-seclusion and restraint requirements: parent and staff communication, documentation, determining appropriate behavioral supports and interventions, and student discipline

Shortened School Day

What IEP Teams should consider when making this decision

Nov 5 | Noon - 1:00 PM

Learn when shortened school days are appropriate, practical strategies when utilizing the shortened school day, and key components that must be included in a student's IEP if a shortened school day is appropriate. This session will also cover:

  • When and how to conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment ("FBA")
  • 3 key considerations when developing a behavior intervention plan ("BIP")
  • How to develop a transition plan to return the student to a full-day program

Student Behavior

Best practices for navigating challenging student behavior

Dec 10 | Noon - 1:00 PM

Learn legal and practical strategies for addressing intense behavioral needs of students with disabilities in school. This session will cover:

  • Disciplinary removals for students with disabilities, including out of district placements
  • Alternatives to suspension and expulsion for students with disabilities
  • Determining appropriate educational placement for students with challenging needs
  • Parent and staff communication regarding a student’s intense behavioral needs

Open Enrollment

Understanding legal components of open enrollment for students in special education

Jan 7 | Noon - 1:00 PM

This session will focus on working through open enrollment considerations with a particular emphasis on students with disabilities. Matt Bell and Sherrice Perry will provide practical strategies to help school districts successfully navigate the open enrollment process in Wisconsin. Specific topics include:

  • Students with disabilities under IDEA
  • Students with disabilities under Section 504
  • Alternative Open Enrollment
  • Other legal issues pertaining to students in special education
Register  →