At LRP’s National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities® in New Orleans, you’ll experience a comprehensive, engaging, and high-quality program focused on the most effective ways to serve students with disabilities while maintaining compliance with special education and disability laws. With more than 40 relevant and timely sessions spanning 6 dedicated tracks, you will be able to easily customize your learning experience to meet your current professional development needs.
Jan Tomsky
Partner, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP, Oakland, Calif.
In her singular witty style, attorney Jan Tomsky will present the always popular, fast-paced review of the top recent legal cases you need to know. Get her expert insights on significant cases from 2025, including the Supreme Court's decision in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, Independent School District No. 279, as well as her predictions for litigation trends for the coming year!
| Sunday | April 26, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 7 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | LRP Bookstore Open |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Pre-Conference Morning Symposiums |
| 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
| 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch On Your Own |
| 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Pre-Conference Afternoon Symposiums |
| 3 - 3:15 p.m. | Refreshment Break |
| Monday | April 27, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7 - 8:15 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 7 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. | LRP Bookstore Open |
| 8:15 - 10:15 a.m. |
General Session |
| 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
| 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
| 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
| 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
| 2:45 - 3:15 p.m. | Refreshment & Snack Break |
| 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. | General Session |
| Tuesday | April 28, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7 - 8:30 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 7 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. | LRP Bookstore Open |
| 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. | General Session |
| 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
| 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
| 1:15 - 2:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
| 2:30 - 3 p.m. | Refreshment & Snack Break |
| 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
| Wednesday | April 29, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7 - 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 7 - 9:45 a.m. | LRP Bookstore Open |
| 8 - 9:15 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
| 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
| 9:45 - 11 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
| 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions |
Geared toward special education leaders who develop systems, programs, processes and policies that strengthen the working environment, support student achievement, optimize resources and enhance organizational outcomes. Sessions are on point for state and local special education directors, superintendents and assistant superintendents, Section 504 coordinators, principals and assistant principals, directors of private schools, and regional coordinators.
Effectively addressing student behavior may be the most pressing issue in schools today. Special education directors, directors of school mental health and behavioral services, school psychologists, behavior specialists, clinical services coordinators, and trauma trainers will get the latest strategies to approach discipline dilemmas and student mental health under federal laws.
To earn continuing legal education credits, or CLEs, attorneys can attend one or both sessions based on application of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct in the special education context.
With sessions for every role in special education, this track includes comprehensive coverage of schools' obligations to provide all children with disabilities with a free appropriate public education. School attorneys share insights on the most significant cases and common procedural missteps, and experts outline best practices and resources.
Building a better understanding of how to avoid discrimination claims and provide all students an equal opportunity is the goal of each session in this track. Section 504 coordinators, administrators, social workers, counselors and service providers will receive unparalleled professional development while learning how to make defensible disability and 504 plan determinations.
Supercharge your Special Ed Connection subscription with insider tips straight from the legal editors, experts and trainers who are behind this innovative online resource. Whether it's identifying best practices, keeping up with the latest court decisions, or modeling a sample form or policy, you'll see how this professional development tool can advance staff knowledge and skills.
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