Inclusive Education Project Podcast

Today's show is a replay of a very popular and informative episode that we hope you'll enjoy.Today’s topic has popped up recently in some of our cases, and it’s an important one to cover because it is under-supported and often overlooked in the IEP world. We are discussing the ELL designation, which stands for “English Language Learner.” Join us to learn when a child should be designated as an ELL, how things should progress from there, and what the school district’s obligations are when that designation is given. Show Highlights:A student’s ethnicity can prompt false assumptions that come with an ELL designation (which can mean different things in different cases).Understanding the differences in an ELL designation, an ESL designation, and a dual immersion programA student’s language proficiency impacts their ability to learn in different environments–and the IEP should reflect this fact.A student’s primary language can have unique nuances that are very different from English, which greatly affects test

Welcome to a very special episode! Karen Odell-Barber with Neurologics was a recent guest on our show, so we returned the favor by appearing on her podcast,  Tackling Brain Health. We are excited to share that episode today. You’ll learn more about our journeys, the origins of our law firm and podcast, and the important work that calls to us on behalf of students and families. Join us!Show Highlights:The varied paths that led Amanda and Vickie to be special education attorneys after meeting in law schoolSpecial education law: “The wild, wild west”Karen’s personal experience in being diagnosed with a profound learning disabilityAmanda and Vickie’s approach in helping families, filing for due process, and working with school teamsThe reality of trying to get needed accommodations for students–and why Vickie and Amanda are doing things differentlyThe difference between a special ed attorney and an advocateAmanda and Vickie’s message to parents about the services and role of a special ed attorneyIn identifyi

We are in the season of Spring Break and Easter, which means transition IEP meetings should be happening. If you have procrastinated, it’s not too late! If your child is transitioning from preschool to kindergarten, from sixth grade to middle school, from middle school to high school, or even beyond high school into a vocational program, you’ll learn valuable information in today’s episode. Join us!Show Highlights:Be proactive in scheduling transition IEPs and annual/triennial meetings.The importance of assessing your student’s current accommodations for proper implementation and effectivenessExamples of accommodationsSpecifics in accommodations are necessary so the interpretation of the IEP words “as needed” isn’t left up to the teacherThe problems with vaguely worded accommodationsBest practices for meetings that generate specific and solution-oriented IEPsAny modification or accommodation that works for your student should be written into the IEP. Links/Resources:Contact us on social media or through

We are learning more and more all the time about how our brains function and what it means to be neurodiverse. In this episode, we explore cutting-edge technologies in the field of brain optimization, which has huge implications in special education. Join us to learn more!We are joined by Karen Odell-Barber, the founder and CEO of Neurologics, a technology company that does brain mapping and optimization of the brain producing permanent cognitive repair. This optimization leads to an additional 15 functional IQ points for every person who does optimization, regardless of age, along with a wild improvement in memory. As a traumatic brain injury survivor with a severe learning disability, Karen is passionate about brain health and helping people improve their lives. Show Highlights:Neurologic technology was developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and incorporates psychometric testing measures.The significance of adding functional IQ points through brain optimizationWhy brain function is the foundatio

Today’s topic has popped up recently in some of our cases, and it’s an important one to cover because it is under-supported and often overlooked in the IEP world. We are discussing the ELL designation, which stands for “English Language Learner.” Join us to learn when a child should be designated as an ELL, how things should progress from there, and what the school district’s obligations are when that designation is given. Show Highlights:A student’s ethnicity can prompt false assumptions that come with an ELL designation (which can mean different things in different cases).Understanding the differences in an ELL designation, an ESL designation, and a dual immersion programA student’s language proficiency impacts their ability to learn in different environments–and the IEP should reflect this fact.A student’s primary language can have unique nuances that are very different from English, which greatly affects testing, evaluations, and assessments. Considerations about inherent racial bias in assessme

On our very first episode of 2024, we were joined by Dan Jordan to discuss the transition to college and accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 Plans. Dan joins us for Part 2 to that conversation to educate us on the student’s responsibility. We are taking a close look at the actual steps students need to take as they transition past high school and what we should realistically expect college freshmen to do on their own. Join us to learn more!Dan Jordan worked for ten years as a therapist on a college campus, providing information about accommodations for students with disabilities, and he now works in a college counseling center. Because his son has numerous learning disabilities, Dan understands the world of special education and learning accommodations both from a parental and professional perspective. Show Highlights:Why a student has to decide if they are going to ask for accommodations in college or not (Dan’s advice: Ask for them anyway!)How accommodations can provide a sense of familiarity

Today’s topic is interesting and timely as California joins 22 other states in requiring public schools to teach cursive writing. This has been a hotly debated issue, and today’s guest has a lot to share about the benefits of cursive writing. Dr. Christina Bretz is an Occupational Therapist from Lexington, KY, who is passionate about how handwriting skills help students across all academic areas. She is currently the Senior Internal Learning Manager at Learning Without Tears, where she has worked for 25 years. Show Highlights:How cursive faded from the curriculum when states adopted Common Core standardsThe benefits for students who begin cursive writing instruction in 3rd gradeHow Dr. Christina sees students gain confidence with handwriting skillsHow cursive writing provides practical help for students with ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphiaHow cursive writing helps provide multi-sensory learning stylesWhy there is pushback about teaching cursive writingHow cursive writing can be integrated into all ac

In this episode, we delve into the details of a landmark settlement in California, where a $2 billion fund has been allocated to address the learning loss experienced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This historic agreement, known as the Kala J. settlement, aims not only to recoup the losses suffered by students but also to narrow the opportunity gaps that existed even before the pandemic, particularly for Black and Latino communities. Led by the Public Council and other organizations, this settlement is poised to bring about significant changes in the education landscape, focusing on evidence-based programs and new legislation.However, amidst the optimism, there are concerns about how this settlement will be implemented and whether it will truly benefit all students, including those with disabilities who often face additional challenges. As attorneys who specialize in education law, we examine the implications of this settlement and the potential hurdles that lie ahead. Join us as we explore the int

We are excited to celebrate this 300th episode! It’s been a long time coming! What a great time it is to reflect back on the start of this podcast and why we wanted to have this avenue to start—and change—the conversation about education, civil rights, and disability rights. Today’s guest is the epitome of someone who wants to change the way we approach education, taking how things have “always been” and seeing what’s possible for the future. She shares specific examples of inclusive education from a big-picture view of someone who is in the trenches of today’s educational system. Maybe it’s time for our educational system to do a lot of things differently! Join us to learn more!Lacey Robinson began as an early childhood teacher and later moved into various school administration roles. As the CEO and president of UnboundEd, she sits shoulder-to-shoulder with educators, providing professional development that is engaging and affirming to inspire organizational and institutional change. Show Highlights:What Lac

Today’s episode is a replay of Lynzy Coughlin’s podcast, Motherhood Meets Medicine, where Vickie recently appeared as a recent guest. She provided a lot of helpful information for parents about a 504 plan or when an IEP is in place. You will learn what rights parents have in these cases, along with what a parent can ask and advocate for in their child’s education. Join us!Show Highlights:What led Vickie into special education lawWhy Vickie and Amanda decided to provide pro bono and low bono rates at their practiceHow the Inclusive Education Project came to be to help spread information about the law, the rights of parents, and to normalize the conversation around special educationWhat the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act) provides as a federal law and how state laws can vary widelyWhere parents can begin when an IEP is first put in placeWhy it’s frustrating from a parent’s perspective to understand 504s and IEPsRecommended resources to help parents prepare for IEP meetings and understand t

Here we are, well into January and the second half of the school year. As we often do, we like to remind you not to let deadlines pass concerning transitions, charter school lotteries, special program enrollments, and IEP meetings. Don’t let the time get away from you if your child is ready for one of these changes. In today’s solo episode, we are focusing on some of the difficulties and roadblocks we encounter around the IEP process, specifically how open communication and a spirit of collaboration are always beneficial to the process. Join us!Show Highlights:How we, as special education attorneys, function in our roles as middlemen between the family and their school districtHow to approach an IEP meeting in which you want to ask for changes to your child’s program and accommodationsWhy everyone on the IEP team should have the ultimate shared goal to support the student–no matter what that looks like!How a collaborative approach benefits the student’s progress in many ways and makes things easier for everyo

The New Year is always a great time for a fresh start, especially as we get back into the swing of the school year after the holiday break. It’s a time to set intentions and make a plan for the second half of the school year, and we are here to remind you to think about scheduling those transition meetings now before the second semester gets away. Today’s guest gives us a young person’s look at neurodiversity, advocacy, and inclusion. In championing the cause of neurodiversity, she gives us ways to be more inclusive of people living with disabilities. Join us to learn more!Alyssa Lego is an author, community builder, and junior at Boston College. She is the creator behind You, Me, Neurodiversity, the children’s book series on a mission to change the way we write about and read about autism and neurodiversity. Because Alyssa’s younger brother, Michael, is on the spectrum and non-vocal, she saw a lot of the ableism and discrimination he faced as a young student. She wanted to leverage her talents and interests

There are so many misconceptions about special education that we hear frequently. In today’s show, we address those, along with understanding how behavioral tools are used in the classroom. Join us to learn more!We are joined by Hayley Montelongo, a Behavior Interventionist for a public school district with a career history in early childhood education. Hayley is a special ed teacher with a focus on behavioral analysis, and she is passionate about her role in helping students, parents, and educators. Show Highlights:What drew Hayley to the behavior analysis aspect of special educationHow Hayley functions as the middleman between IEP teams and the BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)What the training looks like for a behavior aideHow Hayley works with teachers to implement a behavior planWhat Hayley wants parents to understand about a behavior planHayley’s perspective about common misconceptions around special education regarding token boards, positive reinforcement, and consistencyLinks/Resources:Cont

Happy New Year! Whether your kiddos are already back to school or they have a few more days of Christmas Break, we all need to get ready for the second half of the school year. If you have a junior, senior, or even a student in junior high, it is never too early to start planning for the transition to college. Today’s guest knows the ins and outs of this transition to college and how accommodations work, specifically for students with IEPs and 504 Plans. Join us to learn more!Dan Jordan worked for ten years as a therapist on a college campus, providing information about accommodations for students with disabilities. He now works in a college counseling center. Because his son has numerous learning disabilities, Dan understands the world of special education and learning accommodations both from a parental and professional perspective. Show Highlights:What parents need to know in preparing for the transition to college, applying for accommodations, etc. Dan’s advice to parents about preparing their c

During our winter break during the month of December, we are featuring a few of our most popular episodes that you might have missed during the busy school year.Our series on eligibility continues as we are joined by Melissa Brady Petrillo, who came up with a unique idea for children with special needs. She is a teacher in New Jersey who is passionate about books and inclusion and was inspired to see that children with disabilities and special needs see themselves mirrored in the books they read. Her goal is to help students and families understand that everyone encompasses a unique mindset that must be valued in our world today. Join us for the conversation!Show HighlightsHow Melissa saw the need and took the risk to bring awareness to the inclusion problemHow Melissa came up with evaluative criteria for books that address different learning needsWhy children need to understand diversity in order to relate to othersHow books can be used as a starting point for conversations and connectionsHow more books are

During our winter break during the month of December, we are featuring a few of our most popular episodes that you might have missed during the busy school year. As a much-needed tangent from our eligibility series, today’s topic is manifestation determination meetings. We have mentioned it in previous episodes in passing, but we will take a closer look in today’s episode. We will discuss what it is, how it relates to eligibility, and what it means for schools and parents. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:What the law says about misbehavior and manifestation determination of a student with an IEPWhy a manifestation determination meeting is essentially another kind of IEP meetingWhy an assessment should be done prior to a manifestation determination meeting to evaluate the student’s history, circumstances, etc. How behaviors should be evaluated in terms of the child’s disabilities, regardless of their eligibility categoryWhat the law allows school districts to do in determining if a behavior is a man

During our winter break during the month of December, we are featuring a few of our most popular episodes that you might have missed during the busy school year. We are in a new era regarding the perception of private schools, mostly due to the new perspective we have because of the COVID implications on learning. For most students, distance learning is NOT the best answer for optimum learning. We have seen an increasing trend of many students going to private schools, but questions remain about IEPs, reimbursements, and how it all works. Let’s take a closer look!Show Highlights:Understanding the terminology: private schools and non-public schools (NPS)How private schools differ from one anotherReasons a child might need a private school environment to make progressWhat the law requires for parents to receive reimbursement for educational services for a student in a private school:A statement that what the district offers/proposes is not appropriate for your childThe non-public school has to be appropriate in

During our winter break during the month of December, we are featuring a few of our most popular episodes that you might have missed during the busy school year. Today’s encore edition covers important information for parents who are gearing up for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Join us as we break down some of those little details that are most often overlooked in IEP meetings. Show Highlights:What to consider in state testing accommodations, both typical assessments and modified/alternative assessmentsAssessments and accommodations should be discussed at every IEP meetingWhy it might be beneficial at times to opt out of assessments for your childHow physical education testing and district testing take placeUnderstanding the terms “embedded” and “non-embedded” regarding to accommodationsCalifornia has a specific Medi-Cal provision to pay for some related services in the IEPThe “Special Factors” page may differ according to districts and states but has provisions for “low incidence” studentsHow to u

If you have an older student, you might already be thinking about post-high school transitions, so we are excited to dive into the topic of programs for students outside the school setting. Join us to learn more!Robert Freiri is the Executive Director of Gateway Center in Monterey County, CA. Most of his career has been spent in the nonprofit space, working with YMCA Boys and Girls Clubs, after-school care programs, Habitat for Humanity, residential foster care, and now, Gateway Center. Show Highlights:How Gateway Center was started 60 years ago by a coalition of parents of preschoolers–and evolved into an adult program todayHow the Without Walls program began at Gateway, in partnership with Pacific Grove Adult School, for young adults who have aged out of the school systemHighlights of the activities, programs, goals, and dedicated staff that work together to provide a safe space and sense of community for the participantsWhy there aren’t more programs like this across the countryA success story of Robe

Wherever you are listening from, your area of the country is probably in full back-to-school mode. We love to bring you helpful information to ensure that your school year is off to a great start, whatever the situation for you and your kiddos. We want to educate parents and school personnel about how we can work together to make safer and more inclusive spaces for our kids in schools. Our guest today helps us start the conversation around racism and implicit bias in today’s classrooms. Join us to learn more!Nadia Bennett is a School Turnaround Strategist who works with K-12 schools to develop leaders while fostering a culture of inclusion, and equitable achievement, and creating anti-racist school environments. She is the founder and CEO of When Brown Girls Lead and believes strongly that students and school communities evolve when more educators of color are given the opportunity to lead. Prior to her current work, Nadia was an executive director of schools, high school principal, high school assistant prin