Ennis Britton's On the Call

On the Call: SLAPP

On the Call: SLAPP A classroom disruption sparks a parent letter packed with phrases like “prompt action” and “least restrictive environment,” and suddenly everyone’s asking: Who do we respond to, what can we say, and how do we protect staff without spilling confidential student information? In this episode, Erin and Jeremy review key takeaways from a recent case in Massachusetts and what it signals about parent petitioning, anti-SLAPP protections, and school communications. They break down what schools can address publicly, how to keep communications in the right lane, and practical ways to support staff while protecting student privacy.

On the Call: MTSS RTI

A little yelling, a lot of feelings, and one big legal question: MTSS and RTI or IDEA, which controls? School staff know that a student's involvement in MTSS or RTI does not always mean the student has a disability. But sometimes, parents might not see the difference. This episode breaks down when schools can be on the hook for utilizing MTSS or RTI in place of an evaluation under IDEA, and offers practical tips for conversations with families and staff when engaging in the MTSS or RTI process.       Here's the past episode Jeremy and Erin reference: Season 4, Episode 11 Twice Exceptional [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2116912/episodes/18500575].   Here's [https://centerforfiction.org/videos/ann-dowd-reads-miss-nelson-is-missing-by-harry-g-allard/] a link to the children's book Jeremy references in this episode!

On the Call: Bespoke Education/Methodologies

Parents want the best. The law wants appropriate. In this episode, Jeremy and Erin explore how those aren’t always the same thing and why giving in to a preferred methodology can sometimes create more problems than it solves. From music therapy to methodology myths, they break down what IDEA really requires (and what it doesn’t).   Looking for more on this topic? Check out this earlier episode: Season 3, Episode 13 Methodology [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2116912/episodes/14585338].

On the Call: LRE Distractions

When “a class within a class” becomes reality, what’s a district supposed to do? In this episode, Jeremy and Erin dig into the legal and practical considerations that come with moving a student from general education to a self‑contained environment. They walk through what teams must consider, what districts can do, and how to make sure support ends up where it’s most effective. A shift in placement isn’t about giving up; it’s about matching services to student needs in a defensible, well‑documented way. Looking for more on this topic? Check out: Season 4, Episode 8: On the Call: Safety Fears and LRE Considerations [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2116912/episodes/18250545-on-the-call-safety-fears-and-lre-considerations], and Season 4, Episode 1: Kindergarten IAES [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2116912/episodes/17659445-on-the-call-kindergarten-iaes]

On the Call: MDR Drugs

What happens when a student with an IEP is caught with weed at school, and everyone says, “We don’t need an MDR! It’s drugs!”? In this episode, Jeremy and Erin unpack a federal court decision that turned that approach upside down. They talk discipline days, interim placements, settlement agreements that come back to haunt you, and how to keep your district out of the crosshairs while still holding students accountable. Spoiler Alert: “Ignore the IEP until this blows over” is not a winning strategy.  Looking for more on MDR? Check out these episodes: * Season 1, Episode 1: On the Call: MDR Basics [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2116912/episodes/12079635-on-the-call-mdr-basics?t=0] * Season 2, Episode 11: On the Call: MDR Unidentified Student and Request for Evaluation [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2116912/episodes/14274471-on-the-call-mdr-unidentified-student-and-request-for-evaluation]