University News
WIU School Law Conference in Moline March 2
February 9, 2001
As educational administrators and school board members are increasingly embroiled in a sea of controversy -- such as random drug searches, dress codes and charter schools -- they must keep up-to-date with current legal issues and policies. That's where the 12th annual Western Illinois University School Law Conference can help. On Friday, March 2 university professors, lawyers, government representatives and school officials will shed insight on issues facing schools. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn, Moline.
Respicio Vasquez, general counsel for the Illinois State Board of Education, will serve as the keynote speaker. Vasquez will speak on "Implication of Corey H.: Past, Present and Future," from noon to 1:15 p.m.
In May 1992, Corey H. and three other students with disabilities, along with their parents, filed a class action lawsuit in federal court on behalf of all students with disabilities receiving services from the Chicago Public Schools. The plaintiffs alleged that the Chicago Board of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education were not educating students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. As a result of the Corey H. lawsuit, children with disabilities may attend their neighborhood school or a school of choice. In addition, resources and training are now being provided to school districts in order to better serve students with disabilities.
The conference will be held from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sessions will feature such topics as attorney general opinions affecting schools and local governments, special education, student residency, random drug testing, charter schools, students with disabilities, open meetings act, expressive speech in schools and student discipline.
A keynote panel presentation on "Implications of Corey H. and the Effect on Certificate Renewal Statewide" will kick off the conference at 8:45 a.m. Panelists include Assistant Superintendent of the Regional Office of Education in Rock Island, John Flaherty; Brooke Whitted of Whitted, Cleary and Blumenthal in Northbrook; and Bev Johnson, Director of the Illinois Special Education Consortium.
"This conference offers insight into current policies and laws and serves as a support system for administrators, teachers and attorneys. We have all levels of expertise here and we have some cutting-edge topics," Max Pierson, educational administration and supervision professor at WIU and conference coordinator, said.
Sponsors of the School Law Conference include Westerns department of educational administration and supervision and the College of Education and Human Services; Regional Superintendent of Schools Joel Vermeire; and the Regional Office of Education, Illinois State Board of Education.
To register for the conference, send the $80 fee, payable to Western Illinois University School Law Conference, to Max Pierson, Horrabin Hall 99, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. For more information, call 309/298-1070. The fee includes all sessions, conference materials, lunch and refreshments.
** EDITOR'S NOTE: Media are welcome to attend any (or all) of the sessions. For more information or to confirm attendance, contact Darcie Shinberger, University Relations, 309/298-1993, or e-mail DR-Shinberger@wiu.edu
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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