Through its PEA training program, the Law Center supports students with disabilities in pursuit of an education.
Partners in Education Advocacy

Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc. (ODLC) is the federally funded protection and advocacy system for Oklahomans with disabilities.  Over 90,000 students in Oklahoma are eligible for special education services.

ODLC designed and implemented a training program known as "Partners in Education Advocacy." Graduates are often called "PEA Pods," because they return to their urban and rural communities to provide assistance to parents and students.

The training program for lay advocates was initiated by ODLC in 2001.  Participants are required to complete at least 130 hours of coursework over a period of eight months.  A few participants have completed an internship with an experienced special education attorney for one year. The course includes ethics, a variety of state and federal statutes, testing and evaluation, assistive technology, cultural competence, and other educational subjects. ODLC attorneys and outside experts form the faculty for the training program.

The goal of the program is to enable lay advocates to (1) assist inidvidual families in the development of IEP's and 504 Plans, (2) make public presentations on educational issues, including parent's rights, and (3) work collectively to address systemic educational issues which are not fully addressed by the existing educational system.

In order to understand the role of non-lawyer advocates in Oklahoma and to understand a client's relationship with the law center, read the "ethics" section of this website. 

PENDING FEDERAL LEGISLATION ON SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS IN SCHOOLS

Lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation to protect children from abuse in schools.  Legislation will, for the first time, address seclusion and restraint in schools.

Rep. Miller (D-CA) and Rep. Rodgers (R-WA) introduced House version.  Go to this page to hear webcast of House press conference and then follow instructions to click on link to watch. Full copy of House version on this site.

Fact Sheet on proposed House version of legislation, click here 

Senator Dodd introduced legislation in Senate

RELEASE OF NATIONAL RESOLUTON FOR ENDING SCHOOL PUSHOUT   

2915 Classen Blvd., 300 Cameron Building, OKC, OK 73106 Tel (405) 525-7755 (V/TDD) Fax (800) 880-7755 (V/TDD)
PEA Pod
News

Law center public comment on seclusion and restraint guidelines by SDE

CEC Adopts New Policy on Physical Restraint and Seclusion, September 2009; CCBD Issues Position Statement on Physical Restraint & Seclusion in School Settings, July 2009 -- with two longer statements on restraint and seclusion.

Secretary Duncan asks states to review their guidelines for use of restraints and seclusion.  Press Release   Letter to SDE

Oklahoma State Department of Education - Proposed Guidelines 

Statement of Opposition to Restraint and Seclusion of Students with Disabilities in Public Schools by law center, with picture of seclusion room in urban school district and pictures of seclusion room in rural school distrct

Seclusions and Restraints:  Selected Cases of Death and Abuse at Public and Private Schools and Treatment Centers, May 29, 2009, GAO Report

Law center's role in abuse/neglect investigations in school setting memorandum; sample letter to school district initiating investigation.

Abuse in Schools Is Widespread, CBS News

Schools Restrain, USA Today

MEDIA ALERT:  National Disability Rights Network to release shocking report on seclusion and restraint in U. S. schools; NDRN's Investigative Report on Abusive Restraint and Seclusion in Schools, January 2009

CNN Article "Children Forced into Cell-Like Seclusion Rooms," December 2008

Take law center restraint survey, click here

Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS)

PBIS:  Effective Discipline for Student Success -- Reducing Student and Teacher Dropout Rates, 2008.

Law center opposes legislatively-created restriction placed on children with mental illness who live in the community in a therapeutic foster home, read memo

DROP OUT FACTORIES IN OKLAHOMA:  Johns Hopkins Study Report and KOTV news article and list of Oklahoma schools

FTC Facts for Consumers, Considering a Private Residential Treatment Program for a Troubled Teen?  Questions for Parents and Guardians to Ask, July, 2008.

NICHCY:  What's New?

Wrightslaw News

"Partners in Education" is a six-hour self-directed e-learning course to help parents better understand and maximize the benefits of special education services and inclusion for their children.   The course has been updated to reflect IDEA 2004
PEApods

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