Special Education Case Management: Legal Considerations and Best Practices
Date:
February 18, 2026 @ 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Price:
Topics:
- Special Education
Instructor(s):
Adrienne Shea
Event Type:
Virtual
Professional Learning Hours:
5
Intended Audience:
K-12 Special Education teachers and leaders.
Participants must attend all events:
- Event Date
- Event Date
This legal workshop is designed to strengthen understanding of the statutory and procedural requirements that govern evaluations, IEP team meetings, and the development and implementation of legally compliant IEPs. Drawing on real cases where districts faced disputes, corrective action, or administrative complaints for failing to follow best practices, the session will examine key legal standards in special education. Participants will review requirements for conducting evaluations, running lawful and effective team meetings, documenting decisions, and using progress monitoring data to justify instructional and placement determinations.
The workshop will also address the often-overlooked but legally significant practices of maintaining compliant files outside of team meetings and communicating effectively with families and colleagues in ways that reduce risk and enhance clarity. Participants will gain practical guidance for navigating complex cases, maintaining procedural integrity, and developing defensible, high-quality IEPs that withstand legal scrutiny.
Outcomes
- Understand best practice documentation for Meeting Notices, Prior Written Notices, and Meeting Minutes.
- Understand when evaluations should be conducted and the timelines and procedural steps that are needed to complete comprehensive evaluations correctly.
- Identify key moments in team meetings where decisions must be made, and understand when the LEA is responsible for making a final determination if the team cannot reach consensus.
- Review IEPs for clarity, compliance, and alignment with data to ensure they provide meaningful educational benefit.
- Gain insight into how to maintain student files and communicate effectively with team members outside of meetings to ensure ongoing documentation is accurate, clear, and legally compliant.
