Maine Special Education Law Summer Institute

Join us for 8 interactive Zoom sessions!

About the Institute

We are taking our Institute virtual again for 2025 using Zoom, a cloud-based video conferencing service. This program has been designed with busy educators in mind. Participants will cover materials that would traditionally be taught in a semester-long course. This will be accomplished through significant reading in advance from Eric Herlan’s Maine Special Education Law, as well as collected court and hearing officer rulings. Participants will also complete a written exercise in advance of the course, and a written project either during or after the completion of the course. Class members will be required to prepare a written brief on one of the cases, participate in virtual mock IEP meetings, and then finish the course with an interactive mock disciplinary exercise - virtual of course! Participants will come out of the course with a strong knowledge of all the important procedural and substantive requirements of Maine special education law, including the disciplinary issues that impact this field, Section 504, FERPA, and other key issues impacting the delivery of services to students with disabilities. The Institute is an intense and exciting learning experience for administrators, so we encourage participants to be fully present during their online sessions. Because of the small class size and casual nature of the Institute, Eric and Penny will be available to continue discussions and talk informally with participants throughout the 8-day period. A course in Special Education Law is required for new administrator certification in Maine. What better way to meet your requirements than to learn from the best and have fun doing it!

Topics Include:

• • The IEP and team process
  • Special education procedures
  • Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
  • Least restrictive programming/classroom accommodations
  • Eligibility
  • Discipline of students with disabilities
  • Section 504 and FERPA
  • Staff shortages and Special Education

Earn 4.5 C.E.U.s over 8 half-day sessions!

The Maine Department of Education has approved the Institute to fulfill the requirement for a course on special education law for purposes of administrator certification. Whether you need a course to satisfy a requirement, are looking for an update or simply have an interest in school law, the course will meet your needs. The course will also qualify for C.E.U.s from UMO for a small fee. Instructions for payment will be provided with the course materials. (Note: Although the Institute provides certification and recertification credits, it is not affiliated with a college or university and does not provide graduate school credits.)

Cancellation Policy

We understand that plans change. If you find you can no longer attend the Institute, please contact Morgan Stickney at mstickney@dwmlaw.com. If you cancel before June 23, 2025, and materials are returned to Drummond Woodsum un-opened (textbook still wrapped in plastic) you will be refunded the full registration amount less $250. If you cancel before June 23, 2025, and materials have been opened (textbook not wrapped in plastic) you will be charged for the cost of the textbook ($149), and the $250 cancellation fee. You may keep your textbook. If you cancel on or after June 23, 2025, and before the start of class, we will refund 50% of the total amount due ($625). If you cancel after the start of class, your payment is nonrefundable.

Need Help?

Contact Morgan Stickney (Marketing@dwmlaw.com) if you have any questions at all.