Lyn Beekman is the founding member of Special Education Solutions (SES). He started SES in 1998 after a long career representing students with disabilities, school districts and the Michigan Education Association on special education and Section 504 matters. He has served as an IDEA hearing officer and as a state review officer in over 600 matters. He has also served as a mediator, private arbitrator, neutral evaluator and compliance investigator in over 350 disputes filed pursuant to IDEA. For years, Lyn has assisted in the planning for, and presented at, the Academy for IDEA Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers. In addition, over the last few decades he has presented training programs for hearing officers/Administrative Law Judges at LRP’s National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities and numerous individualized programs for SEAs. Currently, SES has long-term contracts with both New York and Illinois to train their hearing officers.
SES delivers training programs for IDEA hearing officers/administrative laws judges and mediators dictated by the needs of each SEA. In doing so, SES brings to bear the “hands-on” experiences of both Lyn and fellow SES member Deusdedi Merced. Beyond the traditional sessions on IDEA’s substantive law and procedural requirements, SES can provide trainings on how hearing officers should efficiently, yet fairly, “run” the hearing process from the time of appointment, to the prehearing conference, to the hearing and the writing of the decision, and to the return of the record.
SES’s training approach is dynamic and interactive, with emphasis on using case scenarios and role-plays to strengthen necessary critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition to training, SES also provides systems consultation and evaluation, as well as compliance and policy reviews for various SEAs. SES has experience in drafting appropriate standard practices, manuals, and hearing officer evaluation protocols for individual SEAs.
DISCLAIMER: Inclusion in the CADRE database of trainers and consultants does not constitute an endorsement by, or affiliation with, CADRE or OSEP. Nor does it represent that the listed individual has met any particular standards or requirements including those described in IDEA. Qualifications described are entirely self-reported, and no attempt has been made by CADRE to confirm the accuracy of this information. Before utilizing the services of a listed individual, CADRE recommends that you check references and otherwise confirm that the services offered will meet your needs.