Special Education Law - Legal Consulting
"Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way."
-- George Evans
"A child miseducated is a child lost." --John F. Kennedy
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our first and foremost goal is to secure an appropriate educational program and placement for children and adolescents with disabilities. It is our philosophy that this goal can very often be achieved without engaging in costly, emotionally draining and time-consuming litigation with the school district. We focus our practice on providing legal consulting services to parents of children with special needs who are experiencing difficulty communicating with the school district regarding their child with special needs. Such consulting services include, but are not limited to, analyzing the child's educational and medical records and attending IEP and/or Section 504 team meetings with the parents to ensure that the IEP and/or Section 504 Service Agreements are legally appropriate for the child. Our legal consulting services also include written and verbal communication with the school districts as an effort to remove the anxiety and burden from the parents that often accompanies communication with school district personnel. As Kassandra previously represented school districts in the area of special education law, she understands the importance of making a good faith effort to maintain a cooperative and collaborative relationship with the school district. Our goal is to protect and preserve the rights of the child while simultaneously maintaining a positive relationship with the school district.
We also recognize that parents are the first, and best, true advocates for their child. Thus, we listen and highly value what parents tell us about their child's needs and struggles. We also strive to educate and inform parents about their rights under the relevant laws to assist them in advocating for their child. In many instances, our role in providing consulting services is to merely provide legal advice to parents, with the goal that the parents will ultimately become the advocate for their child.
SPECIAL EDUCATION LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED
- Legal Advice and Consultation. We are always available to answer any legal questions you may have regarding your child's rights. The first 25 minutes of the initial consultation is free of charge. We ask that new clients bring the following documentary information to the initial consultation: all school records (IEPs, 504 plans, disciplinary records, progress monitoring results, report cards); all medical records relative to the child's disability; and all correspondence with the school district (including e-mails).
- IEP and Section 504 Meetings. We will accompany you to IEP and Section 504 meetings and advocate on your child's behalf.
- Complete Educational Record Review. We are available to review your child's educational records to insure that your child's due process rights are being protected, determine whether your child's educational program is appropriate, and determine whether further legal action is required.
- Drafting of Correspondence. We will draft, or assist in drafting, letters to the school district on your child's behalf.
- Drafting of Special Education Complaints. We will draft Complaints and Requests for a Due Process Hearing and submit them to the appropriate Agency or Court.
- Representation at Due Process Hearings. This includes representation at pre-hearing conferences and potential settlement negotiations with the school district.
RESOURCES
Wrightslaw - www.wrightslaw.com
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania - http://www.drnpa.org/
Autism Society of American Lehigh Valley Chapter - http://autismsocietyofamerica-lehighvalleychapter.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx
Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania - www.pinofpa.org
Pennsylvania Department of Education - www.pde.state.pa.us