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Sue Gramm

Of Counsel

Chicago
sgramm@f3law.com
D 630.394.3790
Sue Gamm

What can I solve for you?

Based on my experience and knowledge of both law and special education, I can look at a pressing problem – whether systemic, school-focused, or student-focused – and help determine the most appropriate next steps. I understand the significant consequences of getting these issues wrong, from legal vulnerabilities and unnecessary expense to, most importantly, students not receiving the specialized education and support they need.

What's it like to work with me?

When serving as the Chicago Public Schools’ specialized services chief officer, I remember wishing there were an experienced resource who truly understood school districts, schools, teaching and learning, and who could come in, review our practices, and help us to to improve. I ultimately set out to become that resource. Above all, I am a problem solver who meets clients where they are, and offers practical advice and solutions that work in the real world.

Overview

Sue Gamm is a special educator and attorney who, for the past 40 years, has advised upon and honed evidence-based systems that support effective education for students with disabilities and students with academic and social-emotional challenges. She helps clients translate often complex federal and state law and guidance into actual practice and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to improve implementation through the development of written guidance, policies, procedures, and practices. She also helps districts address specific issues involving individual students.

Few people offer Sue’s unique combination of legal and special education experience. In her early legal career, she was an attorney at the Child Advocate Association, and then at the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education served as the Elementary & Secondary Education Division director and Assistant Civil Rights Attorney. She then moved in-house, becoming the Chicago Public Schools’ Chief Specialized Services Officer. Since 2003, Sue has worked as an independent consultant, professional developer, author and expert witness.

Alone or with other organizational teams, Sue has reviewed 80+ school districts across 33 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. She has written standard operating procedure manuals for special education practices and MTSS for 10 school districts and has shared her knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related issues at more than 60 national, state, and local conferences. This breadth of experience gives her a valuable perspective and provides a deep base of knowledge from which to offer practical, informed guidance.

Sue has also testified before Congressional and Illinois legislative committees, participated in the preparation of two U.S. Supreme Court amicus curiae briefs, and served as an expert witness or consultant in nine special education federal class-action or systemic cases.

After School

I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren, working out, and being with friends.

Education

  • DePaul University College of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.A., Special Education and Teaching)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Related Services

  • Special Education
  • Student Rights & Discipline

Related Clients

  • Public Education K-12

Publications

  • Online Guide to RTI-Based LD Identification Toolkit (National Center for Learning Disabilities)
  • Using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (Council of the Great City Schools)
  • Disproportionality in Special Education: Identifying Where and Why Overidentification of Students Occurs (LRP Publications)

Presentations

  • Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education. Significant Disproportionality: The Future
  • (2018)
  • NJ Education Summit. Understanding Significant Disproportionality (2017)
  • Council of Administrators of Special Education, Summary of 40 special education reviews (from 26
  • states), focusing on English language learners with disabilities (2015)
  • Council of the Great City Schools, Summary of 19 Council special education reviews (from 15 states),
  • focusing on English language learners with disabilities (2015)
  • Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education. DOJ/OCR’s Dear Colleague Letter Re:
  • Nondiscriminatory Discipline - What was NOT Shared about Students with Disabilities! (2014)
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