SEPTEMBER 23–25, 2026 · COLUMBIA, SC · IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL
SCASP Fall Conference 2026
A Legal Symposium
Three days of legal training designed specifically for school psychologists — special education law, legally defensible practice, and a keynote from the SC Department of Education’s Deputy General Counsel.
THE SYMPOSIUM
Three days packed with learning experiences
Held at Midlands Technical College – Beltline Campus, Center for Business & Information Technology, 316 S Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205. Attend in person or virtually, and earn regular continuing education credit from SCASP — or college credit through Winthrop University. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to receive legal training specifically designed for school psychologists.
DAY 1 · WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 · 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Workshop 1: Current Legal Trends and Emerging Legal Issues in Special Education
Includes a one-hour virtual follow-up session in October.
David Bateman, Ph.D.
Expert in special education dispute resolution and legal compliance
This full-day workshop provides a comprehensive and practical examination of current trends and emerging legal issues in special education, with a focus on defensible decision-making and alignment with federal and state requirements. Grounded in IDEA and relevant case law, the session covers evolving expectations for evaluation, eligibility determination, and data-based planning; legally sound practice for Manifestation Determination Reviews, including the procedural and substantive errors that lead to findings of noncompliance; current considerations in ADHD identification, including the distinction between medical diagnosis and educational eligibility and the risks of overreliance on rating scales; and best practices for identifying and supporting students with anxiety and related internalizing disorders. Participants leave with practical strategies, legal guidance, and decision-making frameworks they can apply immediately.
About David Bateman
David Bateman, PhD, is a nationally recognized expert in special education dispute resolution and legal compliance. He has ten years of experience as a first-tier due process hearing officer, has served as a complaint investigator and second-tier hearing officer in multiple states, and over the past decade has mediated in five states and one U.S. territory. Dr. Bateman is the lead author of one of the primary books on special education dispute resolution and has coauthored several widely used books and resources on special education law. He authored a 504-plan guide used in 48 states and two territories, and recently served as the neutral factfinder in the class action lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Education. He is a former special education teacher and building-level administrator, and the parent of two adult children—one who had an IEP in school and the other a Section 504 plan.
DAY 2 · THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 · 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Workshop 2: Legally Defensible Practices for School Psychologists
Gail Friel, M.A.
School psychologist education specialist, Wisler Pearlstine law firm
This full-day workshop explores legal issues specific to school psychology, beginning with case studies of Hearing Officer decisions analyzing comprehensive versus non-comprehensive evaluations. Participants learn specific methods to increase the quality and comprehensiveness of psychological evaluations and how to navigate difficult disability determinations for Other Health Impairment (OHI), Emotional Disability (ED), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The session highlights common evaluation traps and how to avoid them, provides concrete recommendations for conducting legally defensible special education evaluations, and closes with the emerging legal considerations around using artificial intelligence in report writing.
About Gail Friel
Ms. Friel is an Education Specialist with over 30 years of experience as a Pennsylvania certified school psychologist, having performed over a thousand initial multidisciplinary evaluations and reevaluations of pre-school through high school students. She taught special education and psychological/educational assessment as an Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University and Chestnut Hill College, and assisted school districts and their attorneys in preparing for due process hearings and mediation. In her current role at the Wisler Pearlstine law firm, she assists with special education case preparation by analyzing evaluation reports, independent educational evaluations, and IEPs, and presents in-service trainings for special education directors, teachers, school psychologists, and school boards.
DAY 3 · FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 · 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Keynote & Rotating Mini-Sessions
Barbara Drayton
Deputy General Counsel, SC Department of Education · Keynote Speaker
The final day opens with a keynote from Barbara Drayton, Deputy General Counsel at the South Carolina Department of Education, followed by rotating mini-sessions throughout the day on current legal issues specifically related to your practice. Choose the sessions most relevant to your work and leave with answers to the legal questions you actually face.
About Barbara Drayton
Barbara Drayton serves as Deputy General Counsel at the South Carolina Department of Education, where she advises on the legal questions that shape special education and school psychology practice across the state.
REGISTRATION
Registration fees
All registrations include SCASP continuing education credit. Attend one, two, or all three days — in person, virtually, or hybrid. Members save on every option: join or renew here before you register.
| One Day | Two Days | Three Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCASP Member | $120 | $205 | $255 |
| Nonmember | $160 | $300 | $380 |
| Student | $40 | $55 | $65 |
Registering for all three days as a nonmember? A Full Membership ($105) plus the member rate ($255) totals $360 — $20 less than the $380 nonmember rate, and it includes a full year of member benefits.
Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown
$149/night · Book by Monday, August 24, 2026
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
$129–$139/night · Book by Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Continuing education credit
Every registration includes SCASP CEU credit.
Prefer Winthrop University graduate credit?
Each full-day workshop earns 0.5 graduate semester credit — equal to 10 renewal credits on the SCDE matrix. Tuition is $213 per 0.5 credit, and a 30% educator discount is available if you upload your Educator Certification when registering. Two steps:
- Sign up with Winthrop using the button below, then pay via the link Winthrop emails you.
- Register here on the SCASP site with a free Winthrop Credit ticket for the days you’ll attend.
Both registrations are required. Signing up with Winthrop covers your graduate credit only — it does not reserve your place at the conference. You must also complete the free SCASP registration so we can guarantee your seat, plan the rooms, and count you for meals.
Questions about Winthrop credit? Contact Karen Monahan at monahak@winthrop.edu.
Interested in exhibiting?
Exhibitor spots are available for the Fall Conference. Complete the exhibitor form and mail it with your check to SCASP, P.O. Box 80154, Charleston, SC 29416. Questions? Contact Tricia Daughtry, Executive Director, at SCASP@SCASPweb.org.