Category: Education Law

Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) generally provides access to records created by public agencies (including school districts).  However, the FOIA contains an exemption from disclosure for “educational records” that are covered by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  Generally, FERPA prohibits school districts from disclosing educational records (or personally identifiable information…

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The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky on January 9, 2025 issued a sweeping ruling vacating the 2024 Title IX Regulations that went into effect on August 1, 2024.  The case, State of Tennessee v. Miguel Cardona, is one of numerous cases brought across the country challenging the 2024 Regulations.  The Court…

Read More “Kentucky Federal Court Vacates the 2024 Title IX Regulations in Their Entirety: Pullman & Comley” »

By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq.  Staffing shortages are one of the major issues that American schools face in special education. Addressing this shortage will require a multi-faceted approach that prioritizes both recruitment and retention of qualified, passionate professionals. Some strategies that can help recruit and retain talented special education professionals include: 1. Offer Competitive Compensation:  School districts should offer salaries that reflect…

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By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq.  Some families feel stigmatized by Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), so they delay or even refuse to allow their child to be assessed for learning or attention issues that may result in an IEP being developed for their child. The advantage of having an IEP is that it provides customized support and/or accommodations to students so they can learn to the…

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By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. There are many factors that impact who has access to appropriate special educationservices. One of those factors is racism. You may be wondering what role racism plays.Well, racism impacts who gets diagnosed with a disability, whether the diagnosis iscorrect, if they get the necessary accommodations, and, even, whether the teacher…

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Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 83   In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Elyse Dworin, the founder & CEO of Elevated Learning Solutions, a K-12 integrative holistic educational support company providing services in the wider Washington DC Metro area. Introduction In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, host Frances Shefter sits…

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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 As students have been pushed to online learning by Coronavirus, everything may outwardly seem very safe and innocent to parents, with kids attending distance classes quietly.  However, online school creates new opportunities for students to be disciplined by their school, and even suspended or expelled….

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By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. People with autism and their families have been pushing Congress to pass the AutismCARES Act of 2024. That’s why December 16, 2024 was such a special day. That’s theday that Congress passed the Autism Cares Act and sent it to President Biden’s deskfor his signature. Many autism-focused, grassroots organizations played…

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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 School expulsions can be devastating for students, emotionally and otherwise, ending up with kids sent to a continuation school and damaging college entrance chances.  It is important to know what NOT to do when parents are fighting for their child’s future at an expulsion hearing.   Here…

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Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 82 In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Michela Laverty, a seasoned special education consultant and the founder of Oly Able Special Education Consulting, based in Denver, CO. With a background in implementing inclusive practices and building successful programs for students with learning and intellectual disabilities,…

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