Barbara Bateman, Ph.D., J.D., began her special education career in the 1950’s, in public schools and institutions where she taught children who had intellectual disabilities, visual impairments, autism, speech and language disorders, dyslexia, and other disabilities. She conducted research on learning disabilities with Samuel Kirk and other renowned special educators at the University of Illinois. In the mid-60’s, Dr. Bateman returned home to Oregon and taught graduate special education and special education law courses for 40 years at the University of Oregon where she also, in 1976 graduated from the School of Law.
Presently, Dr. Bateman is a consultant in special education law. She consults with and provides training to parents, attorneys, school districts, and others involved in special education legal disputes. Her publications number over 100 and include the widely recognized Better IEPs (2006) and Writing Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives (2006). Dr. Bateman’s most recent writings include a chapter on “Individual Education Programs for Children with Disabilities” in the Handbook on Special Education (2011).
Dr. Bateman’s current priorities include evaluating IEPs, assessing the appropriateness of public/private programs for individual students, presenting IDEA to parents and school personnel, and serving as an expert witness.