NELI Evaluation Academy
NELI Evaluation Academy
Transform Your Evaluations and Your Students’ Programs with Whether you are a novice or a seasoned evaluator, you’ll gain a new level of expertise in navigating the complexities of a defensible evaluation process. This seven part series created by Dr. Gail Cheramie (the “guru of evaluation”) and Cynthia Buechler (expert attorney in the area of special education) will deliver straight-forward and detailed guidance on conducting full individual evaluations and re-evaluations. |
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On Demand | 7 Total Trainings |

Our Evaluation Academy is a 7 part series. Purchase each segment individually or attend the entire series. The Academy covers:
- Evaluating for Other Health Impairment (OHI)
- Evaluating for Intellectual Disability
- Low Incidence
- Mastering Child Find
- Evaluating for Autism
- Evaluating for Emotional Disability
- Specific Learning Disability
GAIL CHERAMIE, PH.D.,is a highly respected Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), and Nationally Certified School Psychologist with decades of expertise in the field. For more than 30 years, she served as Director of the School Psychology Program at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, where she trained and mentored future leaders in school psychology. Today, Dr. Cheramie brings her extensive knowledge directly to Texas school districts as a consultant, providing guidance on evaluation, identification, and educational programming for students with developmental, learning, and behavioral disorders. Her unique combination of clinical expertise, academic leadership, and hands-on consulting experience makes her an invaluable resource for educators and administrators seeking effective and compliant approaches to supporting student success.
CYNTHIA S. BUECHLER brings over 35 years of experience practicing school law, Cynthia Buechler is widely recognized as a leading authority in the field of disabilities law. Throughout her career, she has guided school districts, administrators, and educators through the complex requirements of IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA, combining deep legal expertise with practical solutions for today’s educational challenges. As the co-founder of the National Educator’s Law Institute (NELI), Cynthia has been at the forefront of shaping best practices in educational compliance nationwide. Through NELI’s nationally respected products, conferences, and professional development programs, she has empowered countless education professionals to navigate the legal landscape with confidence. A dynamic speaker and trusted advisor, Cynthia brings unparalleled knowledge, clarity, and real-world insight to every training and presentation.
This training is designed for educational diagnosticians, LSSPs, special education directors, speech language pathologists, related service providers, special education coordinators, dyslexia providers and ARD facilitators who play a role in the referral and evaluation process. Anyone responsible for compliance with IDEA and Section 504 will also benefit from the practical insights and legal analysis provided. Whether you are new to the evaluation process or seeking advanced strategies to strengthen your district’s practices, this series offers invaluable guidance for professionals committed to serving students and ensuring legal compliance.
You may register for the entire Evaluation Academy Series – or register for a single segment of interest. You may register via credit card or district purchase order.
Registering via credit card: Once payment is complete, you will receive an automated email providing a link to the segment(s) purchased along with a receipt to the email address you registered with
Registration via PO: To register with a school district purchase order, please download the attached registration form. Complete the form, indicating the segment(s) you would like to purchase along with the number of people you will be registering and email the registration form back to us along with a copy of the purchase order.
Attendees are eligible for up to 2 hours continuing education credits per segment, or 14 hours continuing education credits for the Complete Series.
Attendees are responsible for filling out an evaluation form and returning it to National Educators Law Institute in order to receive their Certificate of Attendance.
Purchase Entire Series

NELI Evaluation Academy: Complete Series Purchase all 7 segments of our NELI Evaluation Academy and SAVE! This 7 part series will give you the tools you need to develop a successful IEP for every student. |
Cost: $350.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 14 Hour |
Purchase Individual Segments

NELI Evaluation Academy Segment I: Other Health Impairment (OHI) Learn how to confidently navigate the legal requirements of IDEA while applying best-practice evaluation methods for conditions such as ADHD, chronic health issues, and other medical factors that impact learning. With real-world insights, step-by-step guidance, and a clear breakdown of compliance expectations, this video equips evaluators to make sound, defensible eligibility decisions that stand up to scrutiny and serve students well. |
Cost: $60.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 2 Hours |

NELI Evaluation Academy Segment II: Evaluating for Intellectual Disability Gain insight into IDEA’s legal requirements for Intellectual Disability, best practices for cognitive and adaptive assessments, and strategies to distinguish instructional impact from disability. With expert-led explanations and actionable tools, this training gives evaluators the confidence to navigate one of the most challenging and emotional areas of special education law and practice. |
Cost: $60.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 2 Hours |

NELI Evaluation Academy Segment III: Low Incidence Low incidence cases are rare, but mistakes in evaluation or service delivery often lead to compliance issues, parent complaints, or costly disputes. This training equips you with the confidence and knowledge to get it right the first time. Learn how to correctly evaluate and identify low incidence disabilities, how to ensure IEPs for those students are implements with fidelity, what the law requires (and what schools often miss), and practical examples you can put into practice immediately. |
Cost: $60.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 2 Hours |

NELI Evaluation Academy Segment IV: Mastering Child Find Child Find is one of the most litigated areas under IDEA—and one of the most critical responsibilities for special education. Avoid costly mistakes and missed referrals. This training delivers the legal clarity and practical strategies every educator needs to meet Child Find obligations with confidence. |
Cost: $60.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 2 Hours |

NELI Evaluation Academy Segment V: Autism Evaluating for autism requires more than just completing checklists—it demands assessments that are both educationally sound and legally defensible. Empower your team with the knowledge and confidence to deliver evaluations that are accurate, compliant, and defensible. Learn practical strategies for conducting assessments, insights into the legal framework and obtain guidance to ensure evaluations can withstand legal challenges. |
Cost: $60.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 2 Hours |

NELI Evaluation Academy Segment VI: Evaluating for Emotional Disability Evaluating Emotional Disability under IDEA is one of the most complex eligibility decisions schools face. In this training video, attorney Cynthia Buechler and school psychologist Dr. Gail Cheramie break down the legal standards and practical evaluation strategies you need to make clear, defensible determinations. A must-have resource for evaluators seeking confidence and compliance in ED assessments. |
Cost: $60.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 2 Hours |

NELI Evaluation Academy Segment VII: Specific Learning Disability Get the tools to confidently identify SLD, differentiate between learning and instructional issues, and ensure compliance with IDEA—all while making eligibility decisions that are accurate, defensible, and supportive of student success. With expert insight on dyslexia, evaluation procedures, and compliance pitfalls, this is the must-have resource for any professional conducting or overseeing evaluations. |
Cost: $60.00 Presenters: Dr. Gail Cheramie and Cynthia Buechler CEU Credits: 2 Hours |
*Cancellation Policy: Once purchased, you will have immediate access to the NELI On Demand Training you purchased. Once you have accessed the training material, no cancellation or refund is available. View full list of Terms and Conditions