Determining the right amount of parent participation can feel like rowing a boat in a thunderstorm. Jeremy and Erin try to help you steer the boat by identifying what is required and needed versus what is not, and how to find the right balance of engagement and communication throughout the process. They share the details of a decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit that highlights the importance of ensuring the required procedural safeguards are in place at the frontend of the process so the relationship doesn’t go down like the Titanic.

You can also listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. Look for new episodes on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Looking for more information on this topic? Jeremy will be revisiting it during his “Building Parent Partnerships for Meaningful Participation” presentation at the LRP National Institute in New Orleans the week of April 17. He will also lead a session on “Coaching the Coaches and Advising the Advisors” regarding Section 504 compliance in extracurricular activities. Pam Leist is providing a half-day session on “All Things Autism” at the Post-Institute Symposium. This is the third year running with at least one member of the Ennis Britton Special Education Team speaking at this national conference.

Was it Mrs. Peacock in the library with the candlestick? Sometimes dealing with the exceptions under a MDR can feel like playing a game of Clue. Jeremy and Erin help solve some of the mysteries when dealing with the three primary types of exceptions . They also highlight a recent case in Texas that addresses the importance of proper documentation and training so you are able to accurately determine when one of the exceptions applies that allows for removal even when the behavior is a manifestation of the child’s disability.

You can also listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. Look for new episodes on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

The addition of a parent advocate can quickly change the dynamic of IEP planning meetings from sweet to sour. Jeremy and Erin discuss the law surrounding  IEP team membership specifically defined under IDEA and how you do or don’t define “expertise and specialized knowledge” of the child when an advocate is brought into the committee group. They share a recent case out of Pennsylvania which highlights the rights of school administrators in certain situations related to parent advocates. Practical tips – and tools – are included in the discussion which can help make the process more of a treat, less of a trick.  

You can also listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. Look for new episodes on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Keep Calm and Just Keep Serving. Understanding the obligation to provide services after an MDR team decision is not always clear to all school employees. Erin and Jeremy discuss the “Black Letter Law” related to MDRs and what happens when MDR teams venture into the realm of behavior not being a manifestation of a student’s disability. teams.  They share a recent case from South Dakota which highlights the importance of the IEP team’s involvement in determining what services will be provided in order to meet the IEP goals and the general education curriculum.  

You can also listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. Look for new episodes on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.