Times When You Should Have A Special Education Lawyer
When you have a child with a learning disability or unique challenges in the classroom, you're probably familiar with the process of establishing an individualized education plan, usually referred to as an IEP. What you may not realize is that there are special education lawyers who can help to support you through this process. Whether you are just starting the IEP process or you've had an IEP in place for a while, it's important that you understand when these lawyers can help. Here's a look at some of the situations when you might want to call a special education lawyer.
Is The School District Refusing Your Child's IEP?
Obtaining an IEP for your child can be a long process. Your child will have to be evaluated by someone within the school district, then you will meet with them as well as some of your child's teachers to discuss the findings of the evaluation. If your child is deemed eligible for an IEP based on that evaluation, then negotiations will happen to determine what accommodations are needed.
In some cases, even if you know that your child needs certain accommodations, the school district can sometimes determine that your child is ineligible for an IEP. If this happens to you, it's important to talk with a special education lawyer for more help. The lawyer will help you appeal the decision with the school district to get your child the help that they need.
Is The School District Not Complying With Your Child's IEP?
Sometimes, even if you have an IEP in place, you find that the school doesn't enforce it or require the teachers to comply with your child's needed accommodations. If your child's academic performance is suffering as a result of this refusal to cooperate, you can start by requesting a meeting with the school administration and addressing the issue directly with them.
If this doesn't resolve the problem, it's best to get a special education lawyer involved. They will have the experience and the expertise to help you with the negotiations required to protect your child's IEP and ensure compliance.
Has The School Asked For Mediation?
If the school has sent you a formal request for mediation, that's an indication that the school believes there to be a problem with the IEP. If you receive a notice for mediation, it's important for you to reach out to a special education lawyer beforehand. Having a lawyer on your side during mediation can make a significant difference when it comes to protecting your child's rights to an education.
These are a few of the most common reasons for retaining the services of a special education lawyer. Reach out to a lawyer near you today for more information.
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