Some California residents may not know that Gov. Gavin Newsom has dyslexia. As a result, he has a soft spot for special education, which could be one reason why the state’s new budget includes much-needed additional funding. This new special education law is designed...
Special Education Law
Year: 2020
Individualized education programs and the CCSS
Every child here in California and across the country deserves to receive the same educational opportunities. For children with special needs, this means utilizing individualized education programs that help achieve that goal. The trick is to make sure that IEPs align...
California made some changes to compliance complaints
California parents of children with special needs look for help from the public school system in order to provide their children with an education. When a school system fails in that promise, parents have the opportunity to file compliance complaints. Recently, the...
Is your child in the “least restrictive environment?”
Having a disability should not mean segregating a child from the rest of the students in his or her school. In fact, under the Individuals with Disability Education Act, children with special needs should have the opportunity to receive an education with their peers...
A full-inclusion model in southern California
California law requires that children learn in the least restrictive setting that can accommodate their needs. Usually, this means that a child with special needs will spend only a small part of the day mainstreamed with their peers in a classroom. This leads to...
Reports indicate California’s special education law needs change
California parents of children with learning and other disabilities tend to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education three times more than the national average. Earlier this year, the Policy Analysis for California Education organization released 13...
Why do you need a legal advocate as you advocate for your child?
Being the parents of a special needs child takes love and commitment. Your child deserves the best education possible regardless of his or her disability, and the school districts in Orange County School District are required to provide it. As you work to advocate for...
What is FAPE and how does it help special needs children?
Orange County parents whose children are reaching school age may be overwhelmed by the amount of research they need to do in order to help ensure their children receive as many educational benefits as possible. For instance, what is FAPE and how does it apply to their...
Does your child fall into 1 of 13 categories covered by IDEA?
Orange County’s public schools are required to provide eligible children with opportunities for special education and any services related to it. The term “eligible” is covered by 13 categories of disabilities outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education...
Understanding a manifestation determination meeting
If you are an Orange County parent who has a child with a disability that led to an alleged behavioral issue, his or her school may want to expel him or her. However, under California law, the school must go through a process first. If your child has a disability, the...