Beginner Special Education Advocate Training (BSEAT)TM is a national, 100% online, twelve-session course for advocates beginning their journey to become a non-attorney special education advocate. A certificate of completion is provided after students complete the course requirements. Parent Training and Information Centers, disability rights nonprofit organizations, and advocacy organizations enroll their employees in this class because it provides a strong foundation in non-attorney special education advocacy. Parents also frequently take this course to learn how to better advocate for their own child(ren). The next class will be held in April of 2026. Coming Soon
All COPAA courses are developed using universal design principles, reflecting our strong commitment to equity and student success. If you would like to discuss ADA accommodations or have any general questions about our classes, please feel free to contact us. Contact Us
Audience: We recommend starting with BSEAT if you have fewer than two years of experience as a non-attorney special education advocate (advocating for your child or working within a school district does not count towards those two years of experience). No experience is required to register for the class. A certificate of completion is provided to students who complete the course requirements.
Class Format: The class includes live Q&A, interactive activities, one open-book midterm, one written assignment, and several forum activities. Every student is assigned a Teaching Instructor (TI) who provides personalized feedback on assignments and is available to answer clarifying questions in between class sessions. Classes are recorded, and course materials are provided in advance (PDFs of the PPT used in a recording or live session, handouts, videos, etc.) to support student understanding and engagement. Please expect 4-5 hours of work a week (including class time). If that doesn't work with your current schedule, please check the Learning Center for different training opportunities (including on-demand learning paths).
Topics Covered: Education is a Civil Right (history of the Disability Rights movement), Section 504 & ADA To Advocate For Student Rights, Child Find, Tests and Measurement, Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), Discipline, Transition, the IEP Process, the IEP Document, Written Communication in Advocacy, Unauthorized Practice of the Law (UPL), Managing the IEP Conversation, Issue Spotting, and Researching Legal Issues. Click here to review BSEAT's core competencies.
Calendar: The April 2026 schedule is TBD.
Registration, Class Dates, & Cost: BSEAT is held multiple times a year. If you are COPAA member or registered guest, you will receive a registration email when registration opens. Please note BSEAT is a popular class and fills up very quickly. You will want to register as soon as registration opens. The cost of the class is $799 for members and $925 for guests.
Cancellation Policy: Students receive a full refund if they are not accepted into the class. Specific cancelation information is provided in the registration for each cohort.
Scholarships: A limited number of qualified individuals whose family income is at or below 2 times the federal poverty level or who have extenuating circumstances may apply for a COPAA training registration fee discount. BSEAT scholarships cover 80% of the course costs. After you register for the class (select pay by check when you get to the payment portion of the registration), immediately send your scholarship request with proof that you meet the poverty guidelines (i.e. the first two pages of your federal tax return) to learningcenter@copaa.org. Requests are considered on first come basis. After receiving your scholarship documents, a COPAA Representative will contact you to confirm eligibility and availability of the scholarships. Click here for current the Federal Guidelines. Only students who are registered for the course are considered for a scholarship. Registration Policy: Per COPAA bylaws, any individual who currently receives more than 50% of their income from state, local, or, in the case of an attorney, who has represented such an agency or school district within the past five years, shall not be permitted to register or attend a COPAA educational event unless a formal exception is granted. Click here for more information regarding membership, guest membership, and the full eligibility policy.
