A Free Appropriate Public Education, FAPE, is an important legal right for students with disabilities. Knowing what FAPE is and what it means for your child can help families know what to expect from districts. An understanding of FAPE can also help families advocate for IEP services and supports.

During this training, participants will understand the basics of FAPE, school districts’ responsibilities, and parent’s rights related to FAPE.

Learning objectives:

1. Participants will understand the basics of FAPE.
2. Participants will understand a district’s responsibilities and a parent’s rights related to FAPE.

Presenters:

Eric Kestin is a School Administration Consultant with the WI Department of Public Instruction. He advises districts, families and other stakeholders on compliance and best practices with federal and state law around special education. He previously worked as the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator for the Madison Metropolitan School District. Mr. Kestin has over 20 years of mediation, conflict management, and training experience. He specializes in helping people communicate in high-conflict situations. He has facilitated large group dialogues around complex issues and conducted training for individual companies, non-profits, governmental bodies, and academic staff in a number of areas, including anti-bullying, racial justice, mediation, negotiation, and conflict management.

Eva Shaw is a special education consultant at the Wisconsin DPI. Her role focuses on services and supports related to social and emotional learning for students with IEPs, autism, emotional behavioral disabilities, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and alternatives to exclusionary practices. She has worked in the field of special education for over 25 years, and has had the privilege to serve children, families, and schools in several states and in a wide variety of roles.