By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 College discipline hearings can be difficult matters, and they all start with the allegation and investigation. Due to the potential for severe punishment, it is important the initial steps are not mishandled. Usually the first notice of a discipline issue arrives via the student’s…
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By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. Fair treatment of students with disabilities in schools remains a critical issue for parents, educators, and advocates alike. Federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), among others, offer some key protections to make sure children with disabilities receive necessary support without discrimination or unfair discipline. Understanding these rights can help parents advocate for their child’s best interests. 1. Right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)While IDEA ensures the right to…
The legal saga surrounding the 2024 Title IX Regulations reached a new peak earlier this month. On January 9, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky granted summary judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in Tennessee v. Cardona, one of the cases challenging the 2024 Title IX Regulations. In doing so,…
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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 As the months of Coronavirus destruction of life as we know it roll on, it is clear that not only have lives been destroyed, but also that the educational lives of our children have been crushed. This is especially true for special needs kids, who have been…
By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. Last week, I wrote a blog post titled, “Addressing Staffing Shortages in Special Education,” which focused on ways that school districts can successfully recruit special education teachers during a shortage. Well, as a follow-up piece, this week I’m focusing on what parents can do to successfully advocate for their child’s needs…
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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Have you been on edge not knowing if your kids will actually get an in-person education this fall due to the Coronavirus fears? The not knowing is difficult. Parents need to get back to work, but how can they work if their kids are at…
By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. Staffing shortages are one of the major issues that American schools face in special education. Addressing this shortage will require a multi-faceted approach that prioritizes both recruitment and retention of qualified, passionate professionals. Some strategies that can help recruit and retain talented special education professionals include: 1. Offer Competitive Compensation: School districts should offer salaries that reflect…
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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Do you remember the school bully? Or, maybe you have seen movie depictions such as the red haired youth with his raccoon fur hat who terrorizes the main character, Ralphie, in A Christmas Story. Bullying can occur anywhere in schools: in the classroom, in the bathroom, in…
By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. Some families feel stigmatized by Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), so they delay or even refuse to allow their child to be assessed for learning or attention issues that may result in an IEP being developed for their child. The advantage of having an IEP is that it provides customized support and/or accommodations to students so they can learn to the…
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 The end of the 2019-2020 school year was a nightmare for kids, and hardest hit were special needs students. Now that fall 2020 is starting mainly at home, students are not likely to receive adequate special education services, including their “related services.” Related services are…
