Special Education Advocacy Summit (SEAS)
St. Mary's University School of Law, San Antonio, TX
June 5 - June 8, 2024
Registration is Open!
The St. Mary's University School of Law is presenting the Special Education Advocacy Summit (SEAS), a two and one-half day training program hosted by the Center for Legal and Social Justice and co-sponsored by Wrightslaw and Connell Michael, LLP.
The purpose of the Special Education Advocacy Summit (SEAS) is to provide training in special education law and advocacy for experienced advocates, law students, new attorneys, and attorneys who are new to special education law.
The program will include approximately fourteen sessions on applicable laws, ethics, best practices in advocacy, strategies in working with parents and schools, and dispute resolution procedures, taught by national leaders in the field.
The Summit will begin with Orientation and Registration on Wednesday evening, June 5, 2024. Sessions will end on Saturday afternoon, June 8, 2024.
Topics include:
- History and Applicable Laws
- Ethics in Special Education Advocacy
- Caselaw Review
- Understanding Evaluations, Tests and Measurements
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Section 504
- Eligibility
- Behavioral Issues at School
- Discipline
- Juvenile Justice
- Dispute Resolution and State Complaints
- Preparing a Case for Trial/Due Process
- Using Evaluations, Tests and Measurements as Evidence
- Evidence Strategies
- Legal Claims and Remedies
- Creating Systemic Change in Your State
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Registration Fees
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Standard
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| Advocates, Educators/Advocates, Non-Attorneys, Law Students (non-credit) |
$825
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| Attorneys (CLE credit is anticipated) |
$990
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| 10% Discount for 2 or more individuals same office | ||
Note: Two or more advocates or attorneys from the same organization/office will receive a 10% discount on each registration.
As a rule, educational and training expenses are tax deductible. Check with your accountant about deducting educational expenses that may include books and continuing education fees.
Materials - All registrants will receive new copies of Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 3rd Edition, Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition, Wrightslaw: All About IEPs, Wrightslaw: All About Tests and Assessments, 2nd Edition, Special Education: Plain and Simple and Special Education, the Commentary: Definitions, Clarifications, and Purposes. In addition, many sessions will include handouts.
Certificate: Attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion of the Special Education Advocacy Summit.
Scholarship Information: Two scholarships are available for qualified registrants. The Kayla Bower Memorial Scholarship for an advocate and the Cuddy Law Firm Scholarship for a new attorney or law student.
Some state Planning Councils or Developmental Disabilities Councils offer scholarships or funds for participation in conferences and short-term educational programs for advocates in the field of developmental disabilities. You may want to investigate funding available in your state. One such resource is the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
Application Process
Attendees will be selected via an application process. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly rolling basis until the class is full. Early applications are recommended as the class size is limited. Pre-application Checklist.
The application form includes all registration details, costs, applicant questionnaire, and required pre-conference assignments. Click here to download the application form.
All registrants must go through the application process. If accepted, participants agree to complete all pre-conference assigned reading and course work, attend and participate in all sessions, and complete all homework and class assignments.
Note: SEAS is looking for advocates with experience independent of employment in a school district, as we expect that our graduates assist parents in advocating for children within the community.
Application Deadline - The deadline for applications is April 30, 2024.
Click here to pay registration fee online - NOTE: Your application must be submitted before completing the online payment option.
Educator Interest: If you currently work for a school district, we recommend that you wait to apply until you no longer work for a school district and have gained significant experience advocating for children in your community.
If there is sufficient interest, SEAS will consider adding a preconference day focused on advocacy skills for educators. If you are interested in this training, please complete this Educator Interest Form so we can stay in touch.
Accommodations - A block of rooms is reserved for SEAS attendees at the Drury Inn and Suites. The hotel is 20 minutes from the conference site at St. Mary's University School of Law and 20 minutes from the San Antonio airport. The group room rate (before taxes and fees) is $126.00 per night for a room with a king bed and is $135.00 per night for a room with 2 queen beds and includes complimentary hot breakfasts and complimentary evening drinks and snacks.
Make reservations online or call 1-800-325-0720 and use group number 10090729 to secure the special rate.
Registrations must be received by the hotel on or before May 15, 2024.
Registration for Law Students- Students in St. Mary's University School of Law who are interested in participating in the Summit should talk with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before applying.
Non-St. Mary's University School of Law students must contact the Admissions Office by email at lawadmissions |at| stmarytx.edu.
Credits: Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, including ethics, are anticipated for this conference.
Email Seasquestions@gmail.com for more information.