About Miriam
Our schools are our future. We all know that. I am a proud product of America’s public schools and believe in them deeply. Thus, my work supports better public schools for all students!
I immigrated to this great land when I was in 4th grade, learned English, graduated from high school and college, and became a teacher. Loved that! Alas, I taught in a simpler era when fears of lawsuits did not color my daily lessons.
After my teaching career, I became a lawyer and, as a lawyer, I’ve worked in public education for more than 30 years–first as a hearing officer for special education disputes, and then as an attorney representing public schools. While we may not be able to return to that simpler era, we must refocus education—including special education—on teaching and learning, not lawsuits and bureaucracy.
Now my path takes me in two directions–as a reformer and as a lawyer/speaker/author.
As a reformer and thought leader, I know that we need to start a new conversation about fixing our special education system. We need to place that issue squarely on the table in order to rebuild trust among all players in our schools–not continue to grow distrust through litigation, fear of litigation, and all the rest of it.
You’re invited! Please join this vital effort to transform special education and return educators and parents to the mission of educating all students. It is time! Check this website and the Special Education Day site (www.specialeducationday.com) often for news of our reform efforts.
Among popular presentations are these:
- Special education and its ethical dilemmas
- Fixing special education–celebrating what works and addressing what does not.
- Fixing Special Education–12 Steps to Transform a Broken System
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As a lawyer, speaker, consultant, and author, and an expert in public education law for more than 30 years, I work with educators, parents, policy makers, and citizens to deal with the legal requirements which impact schools these days. I translate complex legalese into plain English, focusing on good preventive practices. Here too, I promote policies and strategies that help schools get back to the mission of educating ALL children.
Among popular presentations are the following:
- Special education and Section 504
- No Child Left Behind
- Education Reform: How, for whom and why
- IDEA and special education concerns
- 13 Costly Mistakes that IEP and Section 504 Teams continue to make–and how to break the habit!
- Accomodations and modifications–which is which and why it matters
- Closing the achievement gap–issues and challenges
- Report cards, transcripts, and graduation–How to develop them legally!
… and all in plain English. I believe that educators are the pros who need this information to move from confusion to confidence and return to the mission of educating all students.