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In our last article we talked about objective evaluations and how useful they are.  We also suggested even greater value can be obtained through getting an IEE. What is an IEE? An IEE is an evaluation you can get, by right, from an independent educational evaluator if you disagree with a school’s evaluations. This is a key entitlement provided under the IDEA because unless parents have the right to obtain an IEE, the schools would effectively control all the information regarding your child’s education. Who pays for the IEE? The school must, if the evaluation costs don’t exceed what is

If you are like us, taking a test isn’t your favorite thing to do.  Your children probably don’t want to take tests either. However, there is a kind of testing that you want to have done for your child, and on a regular basis. That testing, or rather a series of evaluations, is called educational testing. Subcategories include psychological and educational, as well as specific evaluations for areas of need, such as speech language evaluations. School teams may tell you once your child is eligible, no further assessments are necessary, because testing is just for eligibility.  This isn’t true.  Tests

We often talk to our clients about being ruthless on behalf of their children.  Parents usually think that means we will drag the school team out behind the gym and beat them up if necessary. Not surprisingly, that isn’t what we mean at all. Ruthless is usually defined as an adjective meaning behavior without pity or remorse, and that is the way in which we are using the term.  But we aren’t using it towards school teams—we are using it regarding ourselves and the parents we represent.  What we mean is that everything you do, every action you take regarding

Sometimes the law requires you to do or say certain things in a certain way, and at a certain time to get the results you want.  Sounds like a spell or an incantation, doesn’t it? Did you know that the law is magic, and that lawyers are really wizards? It’s true!  Sort of.  Here is a good example.  If you want to place your child in a private school and hope to have the public school system pay for it, you must provide them notification of that intention, in a precise way, within a certain time, and to specific people. 

We sincerely hope your child never gets in trouble at school.  However, lots of children do run into issues at school, particularly children with ADHD, social awareness issues, emotional issues, and impulse control issues.  It’s not unusual, and in fact it may or may not be true that certain members of our firm spent a great deal of time while they were in school in the principal’s office, or detention, or… But we won’t name names (Bill). If your child does get in trouble, children in special education have rights other children don’t have. Your child has the right to

Greetings,    We have a request to make of all BLG clients. We ask that you consult with us before scheduling and committing to dates for meetings, conversations, or other events that you would like us to attend with you. We are committed to serving all of our clients and want to be available to attend every meeting you would like us to attend.  However, given the time of year and how busy we are, it is very likely that if you don’t include us in scheduling, your advocate or attorney may already be committed to another engagement.  If that happens, we

Greetings, In most school districts, school has either just begun or is getting ready to begin.  Our last post discussed ways you could set your child up for success during the school year.  This time let’s talk about building relationships with your child’s teachers and school.  How can you do that in a positive way in the current atmosphere where trust between schools and families has been weakened? One solution is to get involved and to offer help. Ask your teachers what they need for their classrooms.  Most teachers spend their own money to outfit their classrooms, supplementing for resources that are necessary

Greetings, Over the last few years parents and children have faced countless frustrations. Similarly, this extends to teachers who have had to overcome their own unique challenges. In many of the school districts we serve we are hearing from administrators that they are having difficulty attracting and retaining educators, that class sizes are likely to grow, and that services are declining. With a new school year soon to be upon us, we have some advice to help you with the preparation that is critical to your child’s success. Remember, the sooner you act, the better equipped you will be to