Dyslexia is the most common learning disability — and one of the most legally contested issues that special education teams face. Are you confident your eligibility determinations, goals, and services would hold up under scrutiny?
In this interactive webinar, attorney Jan Tomsky will break down the law, Education Department guidance, and recent case law shaping how districts identify and serve students with dyslexia. She’ll walk you through real disputes over child find, evaluations, methodology, and FAPE — and point out exactly where other districts got it wrong.
You'll leave equipped with the knowledge to:
Whether you're defending an eligibility decision, writing IEP goals, or deciding what services a student with dyslexia requires, this webinar will give you the legal foundation to act with confidence.
Jan E. Tomsky is a partner in Fagen, Freidman & Fulfrost, LLP, serving clients from the Oakland, California office. A nationally recognized leader in special education law, Jan has represented school district clients in mediations and due process hearings, as well as in special education-related litigation in both state and federal courts and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her expertise in special education matters has helped scores of districts to address issues and resolve disputes in this specialized field. Additionally, Jan has assisted districts in countless student expulsion hearings, particularly those that involve complex or sensitive issues, and has successfully defended districts’ decisions on appeal to county boards and in court.
Every educator knows the tension: Overlooking a suspected disability exposes the district to legal risk, but referring every struggling student leads to unnecessary evaluations and special education resources being stretched thin for students who truly need them.
In this interactive webinar, attorney and engaging presenter Geneva Jones will go beyond the basics of child find to tackle the harder question schools face every day: When does a student’s struggle actually suggest a disability? You’ll learn how to balance both sides of the child find dilemma — considering IDEA, Section 504, and general education supports without under-referring or over-identifying students.
Make more thoughtful, legally sound decisions about referral and evaluation by gaining this expert’s guidance to:
Geneva Jones is a nationwide expert on education law and one of the country's most influential school law attorneys. Known as the “Champion for Public Education,” her work in school law has a transformational impact on our nation’s educational system. Licensed in Texas, California, New York, and Washington DC, Geneva has worked with the Departments of Education in numerous states and educational institutions nationwide.
What makes Geneva special is her keen perspective as a parent of a child with a disability and the dynamic approach and skill set she brings to her law practice. She attended one of the only law schools in the country with a special education law program, and her entire legal career has been spent representing education agencies in their magnanimous calling to provide students with an education. Geneva explains the law in simple, common-sense language, illustrated with frequent examples from real-world experiences, and focuses on the legal framework's everyday implications.
When a threat assessment involves a student with a disability, the process comes with legal obligations under IDEA and Section 504. Are you confident that your process is meeting those requirements while still addressing safety concerns? Join attorney Betsey Helfrich for a practical look at how threat assessments intersect with the rights of students with disabilities.
Drawing on recent case law and federal guidance, she'll clear up the confusion that trips up districts, including when a threat assessment is appropriate, when IDEA's disciplinary safeguards apply, how quickly a manifestation determination meeting must happen, and what a "direct threat" really means for schools. She'll also detail when and how to apply IDEA's disciplinary protections when removing a dangerous student.
Don't wait for a crisis to find out your process has gaps. Learn this expert attorney’s best practices to minimize legal liability and preserve students' right to FAPE, and leave knowing how to:
Betsey Helfrich has dedicated her professional career to education law. She has successfully represented school district clients against a variety of claims in state and federal courts, as well as special education due process hearings and appeals, including in the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a recognized leader in special education law, providing general counsel, litigation defense, and consulting for schools in all areas of the IDEA and Section 504. She also serves as an independent hearing officer under Section 504, assists schools with the drafting and implementation of Section 504 policies and procedures, and hosts numerous workshops regarding the IDEA and Section 504 for school personnel. Ms. Helfrich is also a frequent speaker at LRP’s National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities®.