Special Workshop Saturday on Parents' Rights in Special Education

The rights of parents of children with disabilities under State and Federal laws will be the subject of a special one-day workshop scheduled at Texas A&M International University on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Western Hemispheric Trade Center Room 116.

"Children First: Parents' Rights in Special Education" will be hosted by the University's College of Education and presented by Dr. Terry L. Shepherd, assistant professor of special education, Dr. Randel D. Brown, associate professor of special education and Diana Linn, instructor of special education.

The event is free of charge, but interested participants are asked to register at 326.2435.

Dr. Shepherd explained that the College was interested in helping parents fully understand the rights that parents of special education children retain under State and Federal laws.

"Many parents are not fully aware of their rights and as a result cannot be advocates for their children with disabilities. Our workshop is intended to help these parents understand these rights and the procedures needed to secure them," he explained.

Among key components that the workshop will define are prior written notice, parental consent, access to educational records, opportunity to present complaints to initiate due process hearings, mediation, due process hearings and testing for re-evaluations.

For addition information on the "Children First: Parents' Rights in Special Education" Workshop, please call 326.2435 or email tshepherd@tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu