PDC Member District $150.00 Non PDC District $200.00. A virtual link will be sent prior to the event.  This presentation will analyze the special education case law and recent legal guidance from both OSEP and OCR to ensure that your school organization can avoid the decisions that ultimately led schools to litigation. Each case will be discussed with a focus on the missteps or omission, including alternative options for action and legal requirements under both state and federal law. The pre-work for this Administrator Academy is to reflect and outline those legal issues or trends, particularly those with special education implications, which have proven to be challenging for your district. This outline will not be turned in or graded ,but is meant to assist you in participating in the Academy and obtaining as much specific guidance as possible. The post work (application/dissemination) will be outlined at the conclusion of the presentation.

Christina Sepiol is the former assistant superintendent for student services at Indian Prairie School District 204. Dr. Sepiol has had a variety of careers in education, including serving as a special education teacher, building principal, assistant director in a special education cooperative, legal counsel for parents in special education matters, due process hearing officer, and legal counsel for school districts throughout the state of Illinois. Dr. Sepiol is a nationally recognized speaker on issues involving special education law, disability rights, and student issues. Dr. Sepiol has also served as an adjunct professor in various universities where she has focused her coursework on special education and the law. She earned her education degree and law degree from Loyola University and her doctoral degree in educational leadership from National Louis University. She is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and has served on the Illinois Council of School Attorney’s Committees on Special Education and the No Child Left Behind Act.  Ms. Sepiol is the author of Section 504: A Legal Guide for Educators: Practical Applications for Essential Compliance (PESI, 2015). Registration closes Friday, February 13 at 12:00pm. Cancellations must be made on or before February 13, 2026 at 12:00pm or the amount will be non-refundable. PD hours, academy credit or ceu’s can be issued for this event.