Learn-a-Latte
Join Dr. David Bateman — one of the nation's leading special education legal experts — as he reveals how to build trust with families in an era of AI and increased advocacy, and exactly what to do about it.
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From Conflict to Collaboration: Building Trust with Families in an Era of AI and Increased Advocacy
Join Dr. David Bateman for a session covering the components of defensible IEPs and how to use adverse impact statements and present levels of performance to write measurable goals that are tailored for the individual student progress.
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From Conflict to Collaboration:
Building Trust with Families in an Era of AI and Increased Advocacy
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Today's special education leaders are navigating a rapidly changing landscape. Parents have unprecedented access to information, AI-generated guidance, social media, and advocacy resources that can both empower collaboration and increase conflict when misunderstandings occur. This session will explore practical strategies for creating productive relationships with families before disagreements escalate into due process. Participants will learn how communication, transparency, high-quality IEP development, and thoughtful use of AI can strengthen trust while improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Rather than viewing advocacy as something to defend against, districts will leave with concrete approaches for engaging families as partners in the educational process.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Identify factors contributing to the rise in parent advocacy and understand how AI and online resources are changing family expectations and communication.
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Apply practical communication and meeting strategies that build trust, reduce conflict, and promote collaborative problem-solving throughout the IEP process.
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Develop proactive district practices that improve transparency, strengthen parent-school partnerships, and reduce the likelihood of complaints and disputes.
Presented By: Dr. David Bateman
About Dr. David Bateman
I'm David F. Bateman, Ph.D., a former professor in Pennsylvania where I taught courses on special education law, assessment, and IEP development. I've also worked as a due process hearing officer, building administrator, and classroom teacher for students with a range of disabilities.
I’ve spent my career focused on helping schools support students with disabilities—not just because it's required by law, but because it's the right thing to do. I believe in empowering educators to feel confident and legally sound in the decisions they make for their students.
I use my background in litigation and special education law to help school districts stay in compliance, recover from disputes, and most importantly, build proactive, meaningful supports for students. I also work with state agencies on system-level change and policy improvement.
In this session, I’ll share practical insights to help you navigate special education law, avoid common legal pitfalls, and strengthen your IEP processes. My goal is to support you in leading with clarity and confidence in a complex legal landscape.