When we think of parents filing complaints against school districts regarding special education services, we usually think of mediation, resolution sessions, due process hearings, and possible court cases. However, there are additional, less well-known, complaint resolution systems that the parents of students with disabilities may use. This blog post will […]
Fire drills: a routine obligation for all school kids, yet their execution often overlooks the unique needs of students with disabilities. I was recently reminded of this gap when I had a conversation with my daughter. She teaches at a specialized school for students with autism in Charlottesville. She recounted […]
FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal privacy law enacted in the United States to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of students’ personal information. It grants specific rights to parents concerning their children’s educational records. The scope of FERPA covers all school districts that receive funding […]
From OSEP: Comparable services include services during the summer, such as Extended School Year (ESY) services. Requirements: When a child with an individualized education program (IEP) from a school district transfers into a new school district, whether in the same State or a different State, and enrolls in a new […]
Using out-of-school suspensions with students with disabilities protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has long been a problem. Despite the issues that have arisen with the overuse and inappropriate use of discipline in general and OSS specifically, it had only been addressed by courts, including the U.S. […]
As a special educator, it is crucial to be aware of and avoid using ableist language when interacting with students, colleagues, and families. Ableist language can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, reinforce discriminatory attitudes, and create a negative and exclusionary environment. Here are some warnings and guidelines to consider: Remember, using inclusive […]
1. Know Your Rights: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that guarantees a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. It is important for parents and educators to understand the rights and protections IDEA provides. 2. Understand the Evaluation Process: IDEA requires that […]
Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case involving the Americans with Disabilities Act in the case of Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer. There is interest in this case as it might resolve the question of whether individuals who serve as “tester” plaintiffs have standing to bring […]
On March 21, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools. In the 9-0 ruling, which was written by Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, the High Court reversed and remanded the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit for further […]
School district officials respond to challenging and disruptive behavior in a variety of ways and determining the appropriate response to students’ problem behavior is a difficult and complex issue. This becomes especially true when a student has a disability. Different rules and regulations apply to disciplining students with disabilities under […]
On Tuesday, January 18 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools. The student, Miguel Perez, alleged that the Sturgis school district violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide him with appropriate special education services. For example, […]
On January 18, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a special education case, Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools. In this case, the Supreme Court will consider whether families that have settled claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) can pursue lawsuits under the Americans […]
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