Designing comprehensive evaluations is at the core of effective special education practice. In this session, Erin D. Gilsbach, Esq., a nationally-recognized presenter and school law attorney, will provide educators and school leaders with a clear, step-by-step framework to ensure assessments are thorough, compliant, and student-centered. Attendees will learn tips and tools to collect and discuss relevant student data, ensure the selection of appropriate assessment procedures, obtain effective parent and teacher input, streamline the procedural process, enhance accuracy, improve communication among team members, and adhere to timelines without sacrificing quality. Most importantly, attendees will be provided with the tools to identify and resolve common evaluation report liability issues. By the end of the session, participants will walk away with actionable tools, procedures, and resources to strengthen their evaluation practices and create well-rounded reports that drive informed decision-making and effective student identification and support.

This session will explore the challenges of making eligibility determinations for students with attention issues. Led by Erin D. Gilsbach, Esq., a nationally-recognized special education attorney/presenter, this session will answer such questions as: When is an evaluation warranted for students with attention issues? Is a full evaluation necessary, or would a screening be appropriate? Is a medical diagnosis required for eligibility under either law? What should a screening for eligibility look like? What are the fundamental differences between eligibility determinations under the IDEA and Section 504? What is the deciding factor as to whether a student is eligible under one law or the other? This session is designed to provide attendees with the tools needed to understand the eligibility requirements of the IDEA and Section 504 as they apply to students with attention-related needs and make legally-defensible eligibility determinations.

Whether in a Section 504 plan or an IEP, there are common mistakes that schools make when drafting accommodations that can cause significant liability. In this session, Erin D. Gilsbach, Esq., a nationally-recognized school law attorney, provides a discussion of 18 common errors that schools should avoid. She also provides helpful tips and tools for training staff members to recognize and avoid these common pitfalls. This is a session you won't want to miss!

Designing comprehensive evaluations is at the core of effective special education practice. In this session, Erin D. Gilsbach, Esq., a nationally-recognized presenter and school law attorney, will provide educators and school leaders with a clear, step-by-step framework to ensure assessments are thorough, compliant, and student-centered. Attendees will learn tips and tools to collect and discuss relevant student data, ensure the selection of appropriate assessment procedures, obtain effective parent and teacher input, streamline the procedural process, enhance accuracy, improve communication among team members, and adhere to timelines without sacrificing quality. Most importantly, attendees will be provided with the tools to identify and resolve common evaluation report liability issues. By the end of the session, participants will walk away with actionable tools, procedures, and resources to strengthen their evaluation practices and create well-rounded reports that drive informed decision-making and effective student identification and support.

This session will explore the challenges of making eligibility determinations for students with attention issues. Led by Erin D. Gilsbach, Esq., a nationally-recognized special education attorney/presenter, this session will answer such questions as: When is an evaluation warranted for students with attention issues? Is a full evaluation necessary, or would a screening be appropriate? Is a medical diagnosis required for eligibility under either law? What should a screening for eligibility look like? What are the fundamental differences between eligibility determinations under the IDEA and Section 504? What is the deciding factor as to whether a student is eligible under one law or the other? This session is designed to provide attendees with the tools needed to understand the eligibility requirements of the IDEA and Section 504 as they apply to students with attention-related needs and make legally-defensible eligibility determinations.

Whether in a Section 504 plan or an IEP, there are common mistakes that schools make when drafting accommodations that can cause significant liability. In this session, Erin D. Gilsbach, Esq., a nationally-recognized school law attorney, provides a discussion of 18 common errors that schools should avoid. She also provides helpful tips and tools for training staff members to recognize and avoid these common pitfalls. This is a session you won't want to miss!