Your child has the right to a free education that accommodates his or her specific learning needs. As a parent of a special education student in Virginia, if you and the school disagree over an aspect of your child’s instruction, you have multiple options to resolve...
Education Law
Can I sue a teacher who disciplined my child?
As schools in Virginia have faced so many changes in recent years, it is becoming quite common to see conflicts between faculty and staff and parents and children. Typically, parties can negotiate a resolution after a disagreement, but if you are at odds with your...
Virginia struggles to get rid of its school-to-prison reputation
Some children pass through their teen years without incident. They score good grades, stay out of trouble and have no major issues with others. Sometimes, in the same household, lives another teenager whose reality is the exact opposite. These teenagers may struggle...
Is a school disciplining your special needs child unfairly?
Both federal and Virginia law protect special needs children from unfair discipline at school. To this effect, the state Department of Education has published guidelines for local educational agencies to follow when disciplining children with disabilities. ...
IEP considerations for remote learning
As students prepare for the new school year, many families are planning for a remote learning environment. If your child has an IEP, you likely have concerns about how online education will impact the provisions that guide his or her learning. Keep these IEP...
Make sure teachers use the IEP
When children have an Individualized Education Program, it is important for teachers to follow this plan. If parents realize that someone is not following the plan, they need to take action. Parents should speak to their child's teacher as soon as they know there is a...
Does your child’s education plan reflect their best interests?
If you are the parent of a child with special needs, at some point, it is likely that you will be faced with decisions regarding your child's individualized education plan (IEP). You are undoubtedly your child's best advocate during this process so you definitely want...
Virginia schools under fire for use of restraints, seclusion
If you are the parent of a child enrolled in special education classes here in Virginia, you likely already have your own horror stories of teachers, principals and other school personnel who disregard your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) when it is...