Course Description:

School-Based Physical Therapy in Nebraska: Laws, Assessment, Educationally Relevant Goals, and Services is a continuing education course designed to enhance the knowledge and clinical reasoning of physical therapists practicing in educational settings. This course reviews applicable federal and Nebraska state laws to establish a legal and ethical framework for evaluation and assessment within the school environment. Participants will learn structured approaches to developing data-driven, student-centered, and educationally relevant IEP goals that emphasize functional outcomes over impairment-based measures. The course also provides guidance on justifying physical therapy services based on student goals, educational needs, and the educational setting to support access, participation, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. Practical tools and resources will be shared to support providers throughout the continuum of care from evaluation through discharge.