Woodsmall Law Group, PC. Articles
What Does Least Restrictive Environment Mean?
Federal law requires that every special education student must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is a legal document that specifies the supports, instruction, and services the student needs to thrive. An IEP includes the student’s educational and personal goals as laid out by parents and educators. Every IEP…
How an Independent Education Evaluation Works
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document that lays out the supports and services that a school district will provide for a special education student. IEPs are covered by special education law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). School districts use various types of assessments to…
Educational Tools for Assisting Learners with Autism
Federal law requires every public school district to provide equal access to education for all children with disabilities at no cost to parents. Recent advances in technology afford families and educators with several exciting new tools to enhance the learning process for children with autism. You and your child may…
What Accommodations Are Available in a 504 Plan?
Schools that receive federal funding are not permitted to discriminate against children with disabilities. Federal law mandates that every child must have access to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires school districts to provide FAPE to those students with a physical or mental…
School Districts Are Obligated to Provide Special Education Services to Children Ages 3 to 5
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is federal legislation that regulates how special education services are provided to students. Under IDEA, states are required to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for every student with a disability through the age of 21.
Accessing Your Child’s Records Under FERPA
What Is FERPA? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to all public schools, colleges, and universities in the United States.
The U.S. Office of Civil Rights Resolution Agreement on Covid-19 Services with the LAUSD
If your special education student was not provided with the free appropriate public education (FAPE) services by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) during the Covid-19 school shutdown, your child is entitled to receive compensatory services, according to the Resolution Agreement signed by the district.
Transition Planning and Student Services for Secondary Students with Disabilities
Special education students face serious challenges when deciding what they want to do after completing their secondary education. Their options include vocational opportunities and higher education.
Researcher Challenges Assumptions About Emerging Verbal Students with Autism
According to Dr. Vikram Jaswal, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, emerging verbal students with autism face significant barriers because educators frequently underestimate their intelligence and ability to communicate.
Parents Have the Right to Challenge Special Ed Placement
All public schools in California are required by federal and state law to provide specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. Every child has the right to receive Fair and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) at no cost to the family. Parents must be consulted by…