Edly IEP Consulting & Advocacy, LLC is a national company that matches families with experienced, professional special education advocates who have already established themselves as experts in this field. 

 

If this is you, we could be a great fit. 

 

Here are our general requirements. We welcome applicants who have unique combinations of education, experience, and training.*

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EDUCATION

​Minimum: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college/university

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Preferred: Master’s degree from an accredited college/university in special education, psychology, or other relevant field(s), or Bachelor’s degree in special education, psychology or other relevant field(s)​​

 

​WORK EXPERIENCE

Strong candidates: 

 

Have advocated on behalf of IEP and 504 students in at least 30 public school meetings - or if you have not attended meetings, you have consulted with at least 30 families on IEP and 504 plan concerns, including analysis of evaluations, progress reports, and appropriate goals and objectives

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Have attended at least 10 special education Initial Eligibility meetings  

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Have attended Manifestation Determination meetings 

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Have attended special education Transition meetings

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Have assisted families with preparing and filing State Complaints or Mediation requests 

 

Routinely analyze all your clients' cases to determine whether they require legal representation and if you proceed as the advocate, you do so with an understanding of how to preserve a student's legal rights 

 

Are widely considered in your community to be an expert at negotiating and advocating in special education to achieve favorable outcomes for your clients (you have strong oral and written communication skills) 

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​SPECIAL EDUCATION & ADVOCACY TRAINING

Edly’s successful candidates typically have received specialized training on federal and state special education and disability laws - examples include COPAA, Wrightslaw, ISEA (William & Mary), other agencies and organizations such as The ARC, state and local Advocacy Offices, university and college programs, state Departments of Education, and even on-the-job employer training.

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION & ADVOCACY KNOWLEDGE

Successful applicants should: 

• have knowledge of special education disabilities, special education rights and responsibilities under IDEA, Section 504, and other relevant state and federal laws and regulations

• be able to read evaluations and write measurable IEP goals based on evaluations and student present levels of performance

• be able to analyze data and progress reports and determine if a student has made progress on IEP goals and objectives

• be able to analyze IEPs and 504 Plans to determine if they meet a student’s identified needs

• learn or know where to locate the curriculum standards for each grade/age for your state

• know about different types of tests and what they measure

• understand research based methodologies and specially designed instruction

• understand what is required in Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), Positive Behavior Support Plans, Behavior Intervention Plans

• know what the timelines are for your state re: testing, records production, manifestation determination, initial Eligibility, etc.  - and know where to locate those timelines when you need to refer to them 

• know what is required for transition and what is available re: post secondary options so that you can be sure the student is prepared when he/she reaches that stage in life

• know the area resources – schools, evaluators, attorneys, private providers, and other advocates

• understand parent rights and dispute resolution practices

• be able to identify when a case should be referred to a civil rights, personal injury, or special education attorney

 

*Special education advocates come from all walks of life...though they all possess direct advocacy experience, they may also be public school or private speech-language pathologists / occupational therapists / physical therapists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, special education teachers and administrators, social workers, behavior specialists and BCBAs, psychologists, school nurses, assistive technology specialists, visually impaired teachers and teachers of the hearing impaired, lobbyists and civil rights activists, paraprofessionals, agency representatives, special education/psychology college/university instructors, COPAA SEAT Attendees and Graduates, Wrightslaw seminar attendees, ISEA graduates, NSEAI Attendees and Certified Advocates, graduates of local, state or national training programs, and community based service providers.