Over the years the question has come up frequently: how do I become a trained special education advocate ? My answer is usually along the lines of read various books such as material from Pete Wright, attend legal and substantive seminars and apprentice with an exeperienced advocate or attorney. For the first time thanks to the innovative efforts of COPAA, there is finally an advocacy training course being offered. The Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) is a year-long course that
provides participants with training to become a special education advocate. The
course is based in part on the SEAT Curriculum ® developed through partnership
between COPAA and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) University Center
for Excellence, University of Southern California on a three year demonstration
grant funded by the US Department of Education. The grant funded portion of the
project ended in 2009, resulting in development of a model curriculum for advocacy
training that was vetted through 3 cohorts under the direction of a 10 member
National Advisory Board and members of COPAA's Training Committee - all of whom
are nationally recognized special education advocates.
This session is the first replication cohort for COPAA, and the first cohort
using a web-based curriculum and distance learning. This is an exciting new
adventure in training a diverse group of special education advocates, and we
are looking forward to a rich and rewarding experience.
This training is the equivalent of two very challenging college courses. The course is being offered as a combination of self paced web learning, readings, group and individual assignments as well as live virtual classrooms. The course schedule lays out the assignments required for each topic and the time/dates of the virtual classes. Participants must have a computer, web access, frequent access to email and be comfortable with distance learning.
Participants are expected to complete work before the virtual classes to be able to participate fully in discussions. If an issue arises that prevents this from happening, participants should contact the instructors to discuss options.
All Applications are subject to approval of the Course instructors.
Please note that individuals participating must be eligible for COPAA Membership [see the website for COPAA for details]. The course is not designed as instruction for new attorneys. Attorneys new to special education advocacy are encouraged to attend the COPAA Annual Conference Pre-conference attorney training.
$300 application fee must be submitted when applying. It is fully refundable if not accepted the SEAT program. If accepted it is applied to course tuition.
Upon acceptance, an e-mail notice will be sent with instructions on how to submit balance due ($750 for COPAA Members, $900 for Non-Members).
Scholarship:
A limited number of qualified individuals whose family income is at or below 2 x the federal poverty level or who have extenuating circumstances may apply for a SEAT registration fee discount. To apply for consideration you must submit a letter of request. Please include information to prove that you meet the poverty guidelines (i.e., the first two pages of your federal tax return) to [email protected] . A COPAA Representative will contact you to confirm eligibility and availability.
This training is the equivalent of two very challenging college courses. The course is being offered as a combination of self paced web learning, readings, group and individual assignments as well as live virtual classrooms. The course schedule lays out the assignments required for each topic and the time/dates of the virtual classes. Participants must have a computer, web access, frequent access to email and be comfortable with distance learning.
Participants are expected to complete work before the virtual classes to be able to participate fully in discussions. If an issue arises that prevents this from happening, participants should contact the instructors to discuss options.
All Applications are subject to approval of the Course instructors.
Please note that individuals participating must be eligible for COPAA Membership [see the website for COPAA for details]. The course is not designed as instruction for new attorneys. Attorneys new to special education advocacy are encouraged to attend the COPAA Annual Conference Pre-conference attorney training.
$300 application fee must be submitted when applying. It is fully refundable if not accepted the SEAT program. If accepted it is applied to course tuition.
Upon acceptance, an e-mail notice will be sent with instructions on how to submit balance due ($750 for COPAA Members, $900 for Non-Members).
Scholarship:
A limited number of qualified individuals whose family income is at or below 2 x the federal poverty level or who have extenuating circumstances may apply for a SEAT registration fee discount. To apply for consideration you must submit a letter of request. Please include information to prove that you meet the poverty guidelines (i.e., the first two pages of your federal tax return) to [email protected] . A COPAA Representative will contact you to confirm eligibility and availability.
