26-27 Special Education Rookies and Refresher Series: Before, During & After

Three contentious meetings. Three parts each—before, during, and after. This year’s series prepares your team to handle the annual review for a chronically absent student, a contested eligibility determination, and a manifestation determination review.

Part One: The Annual Review for a Chronically Absent Student

September 9, 2026 – "Empty Chair, Full File" – Preparing for the Annual Review When Attendance Is the Problem

Your student is rarely in the building, and now you have to prep for the annual. Learn how to gather data despite attendance gaps, document what you know and don’t, and meet your legal obligations before you walk into that meeting.

October 6, 2026 – "They're Rarely Here, So Now What?" – Running the Annual When Attendance Complicates Everything

Data is thin, goals went unmeasured, and the family is frustrated. We’ll show you how to run a legally sound annual review, facilitate the conversation, address the hard questions, and make defensible placement decisions.

November 10, 2026 – "What Happens Next?" – Follow-Through After a Difficult Annual Review

The meeting is done—here’s what you do next. Issue timely PWNs, lock down your documentation, address attendance as a barrier in the IEP, and know when chronic absences demand action beyond the team.

Part Two: The Contentious Eligibility Meeting

December 9, 2026 – "Getting Your Ducks in a Row" – Preparing for an Eligibility Meeting You Know Will Be Disputed

You know pushback is coming—prepare for it. Build a legally defensible evaluation, brief your team, and anticipate IEE requests before you ever sit down for a contested eligibility meeting.

January 6, 2027 – "We See It Differently" – Navigating the Eligibility Meeting When Families Disagree

The family is disputing your findings in real time. Learn how to document disagreement correctly, and know when to pause and when to push forward.

February 9, 2027 – "After the No—or the Contested Yes" – Next Steps Following a Disputed Eligibility Decision

You made the decision—now follow through. Issue compliant PWNs, respond to IEE requests, protect the family relationship, and get ahead of any complaint or due process filing.

Part Three: The Manifestation Determination Review

March 10, 2027 – "Before It Becomes an MDR" – Preparing When Discipline and Disability Collide

Every MDR has a paper trail before it happens. Review the IEP and BIP for compliance, know your disciplinary timelines, pull the right documentation, and notify families correctly before the team convenes.

April 6, 2027 – "Was It or Wasn't It?" – Running the MDR Meeting with Confidence

Walk your team through the MDR determination, keep the meeting focused and documented, manage disagreement in the room, and know exactly what has to happen next based on the outcome.

May 11, 2027 – "Whatever Was Decided, Now What?" – After the MDR and Into Summer

The MDR is decided—now execute. Initiate FBAs, revise BIPs, make placement decisions, communicate clearly with families, and bring your team across the finish line before summer.