We are committed to maintaining and restoring a positive working relationship with the school district. However, we also recognize that sometimes stronger advocacy may be needed because the school district has failed to offer an appropriate education. If any of the following situations sounds familiar, you may need an advocate or attorney:
School fails to properly assess your child, or tells you that they cannot assess until a SST meeting is held
School refuses to find your child eligible for special education services
School informs you that unless you consent to the entire IEP, they will not implement any part of the IEP
School continues to repeat old IEP goals, services, and placement
School informs you that they can't afford (due to budget cuts) the appropriate services/placement you are requesting
Your child has not been receiving the services called for in his/her IEP or 504 Plan
Your child is falling further behind in reading, writing or math skills
School does not let you participate in your child's IEP meeting. For example, you request something for your child during the IEP meeting and the school refuses to discuss it, or the school comes to the meeting with the completed IEP in hand and their minds are already made up before the meeting starts
You are seeking reimbursement for the appropriate placement/services you had to provide at your own expense
In the name of mainstreaming or least restrictive environment, the school's only option for your child's placement is the regular education classroom even if this option is not appropriate
School moves your child to a special day class without first attempting appropriate services and accommodations (such as an aide, behavior plan, etc.) in the regular education classroom
Your child used to get special education services one on one, or in a separate classroom. Now the school's only option is for your child to receive the special services in a group or in the regular education classroom
The school changes your child's program without your consent and/or without holding an IEP meeting to do so
School continually suspends your child, and/or repeatedly calls you at home/work to pick your child up from school
Your child is facing a manifestation determination hearing or expulsion proceeding, or has already been suspended or expelled from school
If you answer "yes" to any of the above examples, you should consider obtaining legal assistance. If you would like more information, please contact Thomas S. Nelson for a free consultation.
