Special Education Law in Nevada: Ensuring FAPE through a Deep Understanding of the Law

"2024 Law Workshop" - Held Virtually

PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE CREDIT REPEATING THIS WORKSHOP EACH NEW SCHOOL YEAR AS CONTENT CHANGES!!!

EDUCATORS IN NON-ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS ALSO WELCOME! facilitated by Jon Okazaki, Esq.

Due to Washoe County School District (WCSD) salary advancement requirements, WCSD participants will be asked to submit a brief written summation of how this professional learning event will transfer learning into practice before a certificate is issued. WCSD participants: please use the link provided on the Guidance/Link sheet for each event to submit. Lastly, when completing events that are (1) or more credits, please submit your tracker to the PGS Department in Washoe and to ahendersonnasa@gmail.com

Saturday, March 30, 2024 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

​30 minute lunch break

$25 for Support Staff Personnel (non-licensed) $50 for NASA Members 

$75 for Non-NASA Members

Earn .5 credit (that's 7.5 hours) toward license renewal

Mr. Jon Okazaki

Former member of the Clark County School District’s Office of the General Counsel

Workshop Summary 

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) guarantees the right to a Free and Appropriate Education and related services to every disabled child between the age of 3 and 21. This workshop will assist educators in complying with their obligation and responsibilities to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (“FAPE”) to children with disabilities, by providing a comprehensive review of all the applicable special education laws so that ALL educators are fully prepared to improve achievement for ALL students .

The workshop will also address the step(s) per law that are required if a determination is made that a child has a disability and needs special education and related services, an "individualized educational program" or "IEP" must be developed for the child in accordance with IDEA, NRS and NAC to ensure optimal student achievement gains.

Key Takeaways & Outcomes 

By the end of the workshop, participants will have the information needed to effectively increase their self-awareness and knowledge about the state and federal laws regarding students with special needs as well as educators’ responsibilities as outlined in FAPE so that optimal student achievement gains occur through appropriate accomodations for students.  Participants will also receive information on how the laws listed below are connected to increase an optimal teaching and learning environment for students of disabilities and special needs:

·  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”)

·  Regulations of the Offices of the U.S. Department of Education (“CFR”)

·  Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”)

·  Nevada Administrative Code (“NAC”)

Participants will be able to….

Key Takeaway & Outcomes

• Identify the components of FAPE
• Explore general provisions related to educators’ responsibilities pertaining to FAPE.
• Review the Individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA) that makes available FAPE
• Review the procedural safeguards for individuals with dsiabilities known as Procedural Safeguards.
• Review and identify the Nevada Revised Statues and the Nevada Administrative cods related to IDEA and FAPE.

NV Standard: State Statues & Federal Law

• Rights of Pupils with Disabilities: NRS 388.457-459
• General Provisions: NAC 388.001-145
• IDEA Public Law 2024: 114-95
• Nevada Administrative Codes: Chapter 388- System of Public instruction, Special Instructional Services and Programs
• Special Education Rights of Parents and Students: Subpart E- Procedural Safeguards
• Nevada Revised Statues: Chapter 388- System of Public instruction- Pupils with Disabilities

ALL are welcome, including anyone in a non-administrative position! NASA IS NOT A UNION. NASA is Nevada's PreK-12 Professional Development Organization for ALL Nevada Educators!

In CCSD, those in non-administrative licensed positions may count this workshop for .5 credit (7.5 hours) toward license renewal AND ALSO 2.5 CUs - THOSE IN NON-ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS EARN BOTH!

(unlimited CUs in this category for those in non-administrative positions)

In CCSD, administrators and professional-technical administrators may count this workshop for .5 credit (7.5 hours) license renewal OR 2.5 hours toward step-advancement - not both for administrators.

(maximum of 30 hours per year for administrators in this category)!

Washoe County participants will be required to also register for this course in "MyPGS" in order to receive in-service credit toward salary advancement.