Education Law: Legal Compliance in K–12, Practical IEP Implementation, Communication, and Dispute Prevention (2026 Edition)

Rachel Reight | Baasten, McKinley & Co., L.P.A

Rachel Reight is a managing partner at Baasten, McKinley & Co., L.P.A., where she focuses her practice on labor and employment law, with a particular emphasis on education law and the representation of public employees. She has extensive experience in administrative law, regularly advocating for clients before agencies such as the State Employment Relations Board, the Ohio State Board of Education, and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation/Industrial Commission. In addition to her administrative practice, she represents clients in children’s services and police investigations, as well as in labor and employment litigation in both state and federal courts. She is also a dedicated educator and speaker, frequently presenting to public sector professionals and supporting legal education initiatives.

Education & Credentials

• Rachel Reight earned her B.A. from The Ohio State University and her J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. She is an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law, reflecting her advanced expertise and focus in this area.

Recognition & Leadership

• Rachel Reight has been recognized as a Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation (2025) and as a Leadership Ohio Fellow (2025). She has also been named a Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers in 2017 and 2018. Her leadership roles include serving as President of the Ohio Public Employees Lawyer Association (OPELA) for 2025–2026 and active involvement in the Ohio State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section.

Professional

• Involvement Rachel Reight is actively engaged in professional and educational initiatives, frequently speaking at workshops for public educators, school employees, and county developmental disabilities board employees throughout Northeast Ohio. She also supports legal education by volunteering as a judicial panelist for mock trial competitions hosted by organizations such as the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Kent State University, and the American Mock Trial Association.

Experience

• Rachel Reight’s experience includes representing public employees and other clients in labor and employment matters across administrative, investigative, and litigation settings. She regularly appears before the State Employment Relations Board, the Ohio State Board of Education, and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation/Industrial Commission, and handles cases involving children’s services and police investigations. She also covers litigating labor and employment disputes in state and federal courts, providing comprehensive representation across a wide range of employment-related issues.

Dana Jonson | Law Offices of Dana Jonson

Dana Jonson is a Connecticut-based civil rights attorney whose practice focuses primarily on special education law, representing children with disabilities and their families throughout every stage of the legal and educational process. She combines her legal expertise with a background as a former special education teacher and administrator, bringing a comprehensive and practical perspective to her advocacy. Dana is the author of Navigating Special Education: A Parent’s Guide to Rights and Advocacy (June 2025) and the host of the Special Ed on Special Ed podcast, where she engages in expert discussions on the challenges, opportunities, and resources available to families of children with special needs. Her work is deeply informed by both professional experience and personal insight.

Education & Credential

• Dana Jonson holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law, an M.S.Ed. from Simmons College, and a B.S. in Psychology from Fairfield University. She also holds K–12 certification in Intensive Special Needs and is admitted to the Connecticut State and Federal Bar, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court.

Recognition & Leadership

• Dana Jonson is recognized for her leadership in special education advocacy through her authorship of Navigating Special Education: A Parent’s Guide to Rights and Advocacy and her role as host of the Special Ed on Special Ed podcast. Through these platforms, she provides guidance and thought leadership to families and professionals navigating special education issues.

Professional

• Involvement Dana Jonson is actively involved in professional and advocacy organizations focused on civil rights and special education. Through her legal practice, writing, and podcast, she contributes to ongoing education and awareness, supporting families and professionals in understanding and addressing the needs of children with disabilities.

Experience

• Dana Jonson’s experience includes representing children with disabilities and their families in special education matters, guiding them through legal and administrative processes. Prior to her legal career, she worked as a special education teacher and administrator, giving her firsthand insight into the educational system. Her advocacy is further shaped by her personal experience as the mother of five children with special education needs and as a foster parent. She integrates these perspectives into her work, providing informed and empathetic representation to her clients.

Session I – Navigating K–12 Education Law: Special Education, Student Privacy, Title IX, and Emerging Tech Risks | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Special education foundations (IDEA & Section 504)
  • Purpose and statutory framework of IDEA and Section 504
  • Eligibility criteria and the distinctions between IEPs and 504 Plans
  • The IEP process: Evaluations, meetings, timelines, and “free appropriate public education” (FAPE)
  • Procedural safeguards and parent participation rights
  • Common disputes: Behavior interventions, placement decisions, related services, and manifestation determinations
• Student privacy & confidentiality
  • FERPA: What it protects, what it does not, and frequent misunderstandings
  • Access rights for parents vs. students; exceptions to consent requirements
  • Records relevant in litigation, employee discipline, and subpoenas
  • Intersection with state public records laws
  • Professional boundaries for educators regarding photographs, classroom recordings, and digital communication
• Title IX in K–12 Settings
  • General review of Title IX obligations for public school districts
  • Definition of sexual harassment and scope of “education program or activity”
  • Required responses, mandatory reporting, and practical challenges for administrators and staff
  • Basics of investigations, supportive measures, and grievance procedures
  • Intersection with employment law when an accused party is a school employee
  • Regulatory landscape and anticipated federal changes
• Technology in schools: Legal risks & emerging issues
  • Use of artificial intelligence in classrooms and by staff
  • Risks related to algorithmic decision-making, surveillance tools, and data security
  • School-provided devices, email, and expectations of privacy
  • Social media pitfalls for educators and administrators
  • Cyberbullying, student speech, and off-campus conduct in the digital age

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – The IEP in Practice: Advanced Strategies for Implementation, Communication, and Conflict Prevention in Special Education | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Communication and the IEP process
  • How communication breakdowns fuel disputes
  • Principles of transparent, honest, consistent communication
  • Structuring IEP meetings to reduce confusion and escalation
  • Documentation that protects students, families, and schools
• Evaluations and independent educational evaluations (IEEs)
  • Why evaluations are a common source of disagreement
  • Elements of a meaningful, comprehensive evaluation
  • Legal framework for IEEs and district options
  • When agreeing to an IEE is strategically preferable to due process
• Writing and implementing measurable, defensible IEPs
  • Present levels as the foundation for goals and services
  • Goals that specify prompting or independence
  • Using objective data rather than purely subjective measures
  • Aligning goals, services, accommodations, and staff capacity
• Behavior, discipline, and high-conflict situations
  • Designing and implementing effective behavior intervention plans
  • Managing manifestation determinations
  • Coordinating general education, special education, and related services
  • Balancing safety, access, and legal requirements
• Disagreement, dispute prevention, and resolution pathways
  • Parent options when the IEP seems inappropriate or not implemented
  • School responses that preserve trust and meet procedural safeguards
  • Early warning signs of a deteriorating team relationship
  • Mediation, complaints, and due process as last-resort tools