IEP Beacon

07/21/2025

03/21/2025

Videos and stories like this serve as a good example to the reasons why school districts should not be the ones investigating themselves when a parent complaint is made involving abuse, discrimination, or other major misconduct. Millsap ISD was wise to have an outside investigator look into the claims.

Their investigator found details early on that prompted Millsap ISD to also put the Principal & Asst. Principal on leave. The school board is also holding a special meeting tomorrow to discuss not only the admin at the school, but the superintendent as well, including a separation agreement for the superintendent.

Would an internal investigation have been as thorough or swift?

https://www.fox4news.com/news/jennifer-dale-paxton-bean-arrests-millsap-elementary-school-special-education?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawJJv8RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUiChkeVQwrp_MgyfX05XNkJUqombp687OqbrOK_MPvxAq49lbMCVGaNxQ_aem_9fux2W4ndQTVo0jYrKipZA

The Millsap ISD superintendent and two teachers have been arrested after a video surfaced showing an autistic child being hit and swung at in a classroom.

03/10/2025

I picked the perfect ribbon to attach to my COPAA Conference 2025 badge as I’m ready to board my flight to Dallas after a 7 hour layover in Las Vegas.😮‍💨🥱😴

However tired I might be, I wouldn’t replace the time I was able to spend learning, growing and collaborating with other passionate special education advocates and attorneys!

01/21/2025

Ever wonder what it feels like to have dyslexia? Join us for a dyslexia simulation in February. Spend an hour with us and see what it feels like to walk in the shoes of someone with dyslexia. This simulation is FREE!
Register on our website: https://dyslexiaondemand.com/webinars/february-11th-dyslexia-simulation/

09/04/2024

I am thrilled to share that I have been selected by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) to participate in the 2024-2025 Partners in Policymaking Class! I am eager to continue learning and growing to become a stronger advocate for myself, my family, and the individuals and students I am privileged to serve!

Last chance to apply! Applications for Texas Partners in Policymaking close this Friday, March 22. Partners is a premier advocacy training opportunity for people with developmental disabilities (DD) and family members of people with DD. Connect with peers, gain confidence in your leadership skills, and learn how to create lasting change in your community.

We want to connect with you! Apply today and join our growing alumni of Partners in Texas: https://txpartners.org/apply/

04/22/2024

I will be talking to my children on 504s to consider signing up. This can provide valuable information for implementing Section 504!

📣Looking for students 12-21 who have or had a 504 plan in school, or who applied and were denied support.

COPAA and Vanderbilt University are collaborating to conduct a research study to understand individual and family experiences accessing protection under Section 504.

We need your voice!🗣

What will you do?👇
👉Complete a short demographic survey
👉Participate in a Zoom Interview for 1.-1.5 hours
👉Check your interview summary for accuracy

Get started now!
Go to https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=3FLPTCM48ER4REEY to get started or contact Meghan Burke at meghan.burke@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at (615-343-1014)

03/08/2024

Excited to hear from fellow advocate and friend!

Ditch the Donuts and Take Back Your Voice: Being Heard in School Meetings

Presenter:
Jessamyn Putnam

Brief Session Description:
Culturally, we view schools as the authority and teachers as heroes, when in reality, the parents and guardians are the expert on their child, with this point codified in Federal Law. However, parents routinely undersell themselves and remain unheard in school meetings. To flip the script, parents must first value themselves, identify their own triggers and vulnerabilities, understand District priorities, and bring data to the table, not donuts.

REGISTER NOW
https://www.copaa.org/page/2024-conference-register

02/21/2024

My background in psychology and special education allows me to assist you in interpreting and analyzing both school and private evaluations. This article does a good job in explaining the similarities and differences between both.

https://youriepsource.com/school-versus-private-psychoeducational-evaluations/2020/6/22/school-versus-private-psychoeducational-evaluations-things-to-consider-when-making-your-decision

Let’s discuss what is best for your child and situation. Schedule a free consultation today!

https://calendly.com/iepbeacon/freeconsultation?month=2023-01

Deciding between a school or private evaluation? Consider the reason you need the evaluation, the cost, timeframe, and level of privacy you desire.

02/20/2024

Looking forward to expanding my knowledge and training at this year’s COPAA conference!

Advocacy 2024 “Special Education and Discipline: Putting Law and Advocacy into Practice”

This intensive and interactive two-day training is structured to help both parents and advocates successfully navigate the real-life struggles within special education advocacy, with a view toward discipline and behavior interventions. Training is provided through practice, simulation, and quick guides on the use of the law, negotiation, and strategy for IEP meetings, manifestation determination reviews, expulsion hearings, mediations, settlement conferences and agreements, and Due Process and Section 504 Hearings (NOTE: this training is not intended to prepare advocates to represent parents/students in hearings). There are whole group and small group activities, and discussions are differentiated based on the skill level of the participants.

Presenters:
Melissa (Missy) Alexander
Catherine Michael

REGISTER NOW
https://www.copaa.org/page/2024-conference-register

02/12/2024

The recent news story serves as a warning that the issue affecting Georgia's school district is part of a larger, national trend. With one-quarter of students in Georgia facing this battle, it's clear that a more substantial response than taking parents to court is needed.

“This isn’t an isolated problem,” said Stephen Owens, education director at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. “This is a statewide, nationwide issue.”

“It was an assault on my character is what it felt like,” she said.