Editor’s Note: In this post, parent advocate and former LCSW Susan Morton shares some common pitfalls encountered in the world of special education advocacy. While this short article is written for a professional audience, parents who are striving to be the best advocates they can be for their own children will also benefit from these tips.
Within the next few years, Congress is like to consider reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Of course, the IDEA is not an expiring authorization and there is not really a need to reauthorize it.
The Second Circuit issued a decision in the case L.O ex rel. K.T. v. N.Y.C. Dep’t of Educ. and REVERSED and REMANDED the case for further proceedings. Our very own Andrew Feinstein filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and argued the amicus position in support of the parent on March 10, 2016.
Written by Melanie Dunn: I am answering this question here because it is a question asked by the large majority of parents who call us. The answer is short and simple, yet complicated, and no one is happy to hear it: “You start by getting an expert to evaluate your child and recommend the placement you want.”
Editor’s Note: Susan Morton is an educational advocate in our office with a clinical social work background and experience with mental health and developmental disabilities. Please read on for her inaugural post on our new blog, on the topic of using caution in discussing confidential student or family information.
No, I’m serious. Not AT the meeting. I mean, get a great night’s sleep the night before your meeting to review your child’s IEP (the “PPT meeting,” here in Connecticut, and the IEP team meeting for the rest of you).
Each year, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) administers the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to a statistically valid sample of elementary and secondary school students throughout the country. The NAEP is a paper and pencil test in math, reading, science, writing, and other subjects.
If you are new to the world of special education law it is hard to know where to begin. The procedures are confusing, the language is alphabet soup, and school districts are not forthcoming about parent’s rights and options.