Readers of this blog know that we focus on education law. And, one common topic is the difference between private and public schools. Indeed, it was the topic of a recent post on whether students at private schools qualify for equitable services. Naturally, the next...
Education Law
Do students at private schools qualify for equitable services?
New York parents have many choices regarding where to send their children to school. In addition to traditional public schools, through the state’s school choice system, they can receive vouchers to send their child to a public magnet school, charter school or private...
Understanding the IEP process in New York
Parents with school-age children have undoubtedly come across the acronym “IEP.” The acronym means “individualized education plan.” That is, the process that must be followed to establish an education program that has been adapted to a child with special needs. The...
New York finds special education students often physically restrained
Being a special education teacher can be difficult. Some students have behavioral issues that make them lash out, possibly hurting themselves or others. For this reason, New York allows special education facilities to use restraints or put students in padded rooms,...
Shaping my child’s experience with special education in New York state
When your child is very young, you may not have any inkling that they will need special education or that they will be dealing with any type of learning disabilities. The good thing is that the American educational system has come a very long way when it comes to...
Understanding the relationship between an IEP and a 504 Plan
Parents of children who suffer from a significant disability may find themselves suddenly plunged into an alphabet soup of numbers and letters that will have a material effect on the lives of their disabled child. Unfortunately, this “soup” can be as murky as pea soup...
What if my child’s learning disability is going unnoticed?
One in five students with problems learning and paying attention are not formally identified as qualifying for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan. This is because they have not been identified as having a learning disability. These children risk...
Do mental health disorders qualify for a 504 plan?
When you have a child with a mental health disorder, like depression, anxiety or another invisible or hidden disability, you may wonder, does my child qualify for 504 services at their school? You know your child is more than their diagnosis, but it is also...
How can a parent challenge an IEP?
Any parent with a mentally disabled child understands the meaning of this three-letter acronym: IEP. An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a child with possible disabilities is eligible to be tested and...
What to do if your child is being bullied
Bullying remains a huge problem in most New York schools. Although bullying in schools is not a new problem, it is taken more seriously than in the past and it can take an incredible toll on your special needs child. As the parent of a special needs child, your child...