The Wrightslaw Way

Stand with Us and Say “No” to low expectations for students with disabilities and minority students by Cheryl Poe, Guest Blogger I am an African-American mother of two children in Virginia public schools. Both children have learning disabilities. My husband and I have high expectations for our children. It has been a struggle to make […]

When it comes to special education, Becky McGee and her 19-year-old son, Kyle, feel as if they’ve seen it all. Ms. McGee hopes her hard-won lessons might benefit other parents. Kyle was born with orthopedic and neurological problems. In elementary school he was found to have several learning disabilities that included severe dyslexia and attention-deficit […]

On Monday, June 22, 2009, the Supreme Court issued a powerful pro-child decision in Forest Grove School District v. T.A. This is a case about tuition reimbursement for a disabled child  who was not found eligible for special education and received no  special education services from the public school district.

For parents, teachers, related services providers, and school administrators who have questions about whether children with ADD/ADHD qualify for special education services under IDEA, please read the Joint Policy Memorandum on ADD/ADHD published in 1991. http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/code_regs/OSEP_Memorandum_ADD_1991.html This Memorandum was published jointly by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the Office for Civil Rights, […]

We want to have Cate as a paraprofessional because she has done a great job with our son. The administration wants to change her for someone who has a bad reputation. Can we write Cate into the IEP? Does IDEA state anywhere that an individual can not be requested as a paraprofessional. No, the law […]