 |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
Discussion Topics to Accompany the DVD Surviving Due Process: When Parents and the School Board Disagree
General Topics for Discussion 1. Compare the parents’ experience before and after contacting attorney Pete Wright. 2. Notice the color of clothing for each participant in the hearing. What could it mean to wear the same color of clothing as the hearing officer? Does the choice of the mother’s clothing during her testimony affect your opinion of her? What if she were dressed differently? 3. Notice the seating arrangements during each segment. During the mother’s testimony, what is her body language conveying by the direction she is facing? What message could that convey to the hearing officer, the school personnel, the school’s attorney, or to Pete Wright? 4. Discuss the difference between an open and closed hearing. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
1. How does the school district prepare for a case? 2. What is a parent advocate’s most important role? 3. What is the four-letter word that can sabotage your case? Why? 4. What is the keyword during the testimony? 5. What is the key to a successful meeting with your attorney and to a successful hearing? 6. Just for fun: What is the only unrealistic part of this DVD?
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law "If it was not written down, it was not said. If it was not written down, it did not happen." Info and updates on the DVD: Surviving Due Process Tactics and Strategy: The Original ﾓLetter to a Strangerﾔ Books by Pete Wright, ESQ and Pamela Darr Wright, MA. MSW. Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training. CEU credits available. Discussion topics prepared by Janie Bowman Answers: (1) They look for weak areas, obtain all records, interview everyone associated with the case, choose witnesses and prepare them for testimony. (2) To look out for their child first, not out to save the world. (3) “Best.” FAPE is based on what is “Appropriate.” (4) “Damage.” (5) Preparation and organization. All records, including school records and evaluations, outside expert evaluations, notes, emails, and phone call records, etc., organized in a notebook. Prepare one for you and one for your attorney. (6) There is no way a parent can pick up the phone, call Pete Wright (or any attorney), and have him answer on the first ring. (Though it would be nice if things happened that way.) Note: Surviving Due Process is available from Wrightslaw and Amazon.com.
|
|||