ABCs for Life Success

09/03/2026

St. Louis uses commissioners to hear due process hearings. Mother is cross examined today.

DAY 4 link:

https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=m67f92b2c486dc106b0a8d2a21fa30f24

Today, this mother takes the stand to be cross examined.

She will testify about what her daughter experienced, the years her family has spent fighting for appropriate services and supports, and why she believes her daughter needs something very different from what SSD has proposed.

There is tremendous courage in publicly telling the hardest parts of your child’s story while fighting for the education and support you believe she deserves.

Today, we stand with Mom.

If you are able, join the hearing at 9:00 a.m. CST. Be present. Listen. Bear witness.

Let this mother know that families who stand up for their children do not stand alone.

09/03/2026

A whole day with Pete Wright! What a treat 💕

1 day left to secure your spot at the Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conference! Ticket sales close tomorrow – so don’t wait, get yours today at tfaforms.com/5210508.

With your ticket you will receive:
📚Three (3) Wrightslaw books mailed to your home
💻Access to the full day Zoom conference
📂Digital materials from Pete Wright, Esq.
💬Access to a live chat with PPMD Family Partners to get your special education questions answered

09/03/2026

Day 4. Come see what a special education due process hearing looks like.

DAY 4 link:

https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=m67f92b2c486dc106b0a8d2a21fa30f24

Today, this mother takes the stand to be cross examined.

She will testify about what her daughter experienced, the years her family has spent fighting for appropriate services and supports, and why she believes her daughter needs something very different from what SSD has proposed.

There is tremendous courage in publicly telling the hardest parts of your child’s story while fighting for the education and support you believe she deserves.

Today, we stand with Mom.

If you are able, join the hearing at 9:00 a.m. CST. Be present. Listen. Bear witness.

Let this mother know that families who stand up for their children do not stand alone.

09/02/2026

Parents! Is your child’s general education teacher also supposed to provide special education? Ask these questions in an IEP meeting and fill your advocacy toolbox! Developed by the Education Advocacy Coalition and prepared by Parents’ Place of MD

09/02/2026

Don’t miss this free opportunity to fill your advocacy tool box!

Join PPMD for a virtual two-part IEP Clinic on October 22 and October 29, 2026. Families will learn how an IEP is developed, what each section means for their child, and how to strengthen advocacy skills to support their child’s needs.

Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fO8XIT6KSw67W-JeVWJAeg #/registration.

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

If you want to observe, here’s the link to log on and watch a due process hearing. https://stateofmo.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/stateofmo/meeting/download/23f845f9c20542b3ac9d610be81b6a71?MTID=mda7342b937c431415bd962f03f007b41

A due process hearing is the legal process Congress created for families and public schools to resolve disputes over a child’s right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

And sometimes, providing FAPE requires far more than changing a few services in an IEP.

When a student’s disability-related educational needs cannot be appropriately met in a less restrictive setting, a school district may be responsible for funding a residential placement if that placement is necessary for the child to receive FAPE.

That is the issue at the center of this hearing.

The parent is seeking a residential placement with ABA and appropriate educational services. The Special School District of St. Louis County is proposing a very different program: limited, virtual-only homebound instruction and related services, to be facilitated entirely by her mother. The proposed program includes no behavioral supports and no in-person educational or therapeutic support from school personnel.

The hearing will address whether that proposed program provides this student with FAPE, or whether her needs require the more intensive residential program her parent is seeking.

Because this due process hearing is open to the public, members of the public have an unusual opportunity to observe the IDEA dispute-resolution process firsthand. These hearings are normally private. However, a parent has the absolute right to open their hearing to the public. Please support this family in their pursuit of appropriate services. The hearing will not be recorded, so it can only be observed live via WebEx.

Times are CST.

Day 1 WEBEX LINK:
https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=mda7342b937c431415bd962f03f007b41

WEBINAR PASSWORD: (for public attendees)
DESE260821

33732608 when dialing from a phone or video system

08/23/2026

This is a rare opportunity to observe a due process hearing, starting Aug. 31.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1LVMdQU53d/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A due process hearing is the legal process Congress created for families and public schools to resolve disputes over a child’s right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

And sometimes, providing FAPE requires far more than changing a few services in an IEP.

When a student’s disability-related educational needs cannot be appropriately met in a less restrictive setting, a school district may be responsible for funding a residential placement if that placement is necessary for the child to receive FAPE.

That is the issue at the center of this hearing.

The parent is seeking a residential placement with ABA and appropriate educational services. The Special School District of St. Louis County is proposing a very different program: limited, virtual-only homebound instruction and related services, to be facilitated entirely by her mother. The proposed program includes no behavioral supports and no in-person educational or therapeutic support from school personnel.

The hearing will address whether that proposed program provides this student with FAPE, or whether her needs require the more intensive residential program her parent is seeking.

Because this due process hearing is open to the public, members of the public have an unusual opportunity to observe the IDEA dispute-resolution process firsthand. These hearings are normally private. However, a parent has the absolute right to open their hearing to the public. Please support this family in their pursuit of appropriate services. The hearing will not be recorded, so it can only be observed live via WebEx.

Times are CST.

Day 1 WEBEX LINK:
https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=mda7342b937c431415bd962f03f007b41

WEBINAR PASSWORD: (for public attendees)
DESE260821

33732608 when dialing from a phone or video system

08/04/2026

A great one-pager about a VID-very important document

Prior Written Notice isn't a formality, it's required. Anytime your district proposes or refuses to change a student's identification, evaluation, placement, or services, the parent has to receive written notice explaining why. Skipping it, even with good intentions, is a compliance gap.

08/03/2026

Florida! Look at you!

Florida has taken a statewide step toward improving how autistic students are supported at school.

Under a new law taking effect July 1, all 67 public school districts must offer at least one autism-specific professional learning opportunity every year for teachers and school-based administrators. The training must be developed with input from people who have experience and expertise in autism and focus on evidence-based ways to support autistic students.

The bill passed unanimously through both chambers of the Florida Legislature.

One training session will not fix every problem autistic students face in school. But when staff better understand communication differences, sensory needs and behavior as communication, they are better equipped to respond with support rather than punishment.

Autistic students should not have to rely on whether an individual teacher happens to understand autism. That knowledge should be built into every school district.

Now, for the first time, Florida law requires it.

Source: Florida Legislature