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FAQ
If you believe that your child has special needs or if your child has a diagnosis but is not yet receiving special education support, you should request that the school district conduct assessments in all areas of suspected need. Be sure to clarify what areas of deficit you want assessed. Upon making the request, the school district has 15 days to provide you with what’s called an assessment plan. On this plan, the district will include all areas it intends on assessing and who will be conducting those assessments. Once you provide consent to the district, the assessments will be completed and an IEP will be held within 60 days.
There are many instances when district assessors and parents don’t see eye-to-eye. In these circumstances, you may disagree with the district’s assessment and request that they fund an independent one. Upon making this request, the district may either agree to fund the assessment or defend its own. You may also initiate due process proceedings in an effort to get the assessments funded.
An Individualized Education Program is a legal document that notes your child’s eligibility, special education supports, accommodations, modifications, and goals for achievement. The IEP is designed by multiple “team members” including teachers, service providers, assessors, administrators and more. The most important “team member” is, of course, you!
As the parent, you hold the ultimate power in the supports and services your child does or does not receive. As such, you can always disagree (whether in whole or in part) with the district’s recommendations. Once you have notified the district of your disagreement, you may initiate due process proceedings in an effort to resolve any disputes.
FAPE stands for “free appropriate public education.” By law, your child is entitled to an appropriate education at no cost to you.
With so many great private schools in the Los Angeles area, we understand the appeal of placing your child in one. Private school placement is a tricky one though and needs to be differentiated from nonpublic school placement. Nonpublic schools are designed for children with special needs. These schools can be funded by districts if it is the appropriate placement for your child.
Not if you bring the right one! It is true that sometimes the words “attorney” or “advocate” can leave district employees with a bad taste in their mouth. However, our clients have never experienced any backlash as a result of our presence. Rather, district employees typically appreciate our presence as we are “team players” really just looking to help your child achieve success.
