Category: Education Law

Does Connecticut’s Expanded Paid Sick Leave Law Apply to Public-Sector Employers? Statutory definition does not reference municipalities, boards of education or political subdivisions, leaving room for interpretation under Public Act 24-8 Arguably the most significant labor and employment development arising out of the 2024 session of the Connecticut General Assembly was the dramatic expansion of…

Read More “Does Connecticut’s Expanded Paid Sick Leave Law Apply to Public-Sector Employers? : Pullman & Comley” »

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Schools and students are in turmoil in California, with all pushed to distance education for fear of  the “invisible enemy” aka Coronavirus.  But what about the upcoming fall and the 2020-21 schoolyear?  How will students return to school in the Coronavirus “new normal” and how…

Read More “Will Lack of Social Distancing Or Threats To Touch Someone Be Suspendable and Expellable Offenses When Students Return To School?” »

By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. Executive functioning helps people plan, organize, initiate and complete tasks. Theseskills are important in school, home, and everyday life. For students with ADHD, autism,or learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, executive functioning can be more challenging.Understanding the challenges that these students face and coming up with a plan tosupport them is…

Read More “Executive Functioning in Special Education, ADHD, and Autism” »

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995   College discipline hearings can be difficult matters, and they all start with the allegation and investigation.  Due to the potential for severe punishment, it is important the initial steps are not mishandled. Usually the first notice of a discipline issue arrives via the student’s…

Read More “College Discipline: Initial Contact And Investigation Meeting” »

Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 81 Introduction: In this episode, Frances Shefter welcomes Randi Johnson, Principal Attorney and Chief Engagement Officer at Gravis Law. Together, they discuss the unique challenges and responsibilities of being education attorneys and how their collaborative approach helps families navigate the special education process. The Role of Attorneys vs. Advocates:…

Read More “Overcoming the Challenges Faced by Education Lawyers with Randi Johnson” »

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 As the months of Coronavirus destruction of life as we know it roll on, it is clear that not only have lives  been destroyed, but also that the educational lives of our children have been crushed.  This is especially true for special needs kids, who have been…

Read More “Special Education After Coronavirus- Steps To Take To Try To Recoup Services And Regain Lost Skills” »

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Have you been on edge not knowing if your kids will actually get an in-person education this fall due to the Coronavirus fears?  The not knowing is difficult.  Parents need to get back to work, but how can they work if their kids are at…

Read More “Do You Want Your Kids To Go Back To In-Person Education This Fall? Call, Write, Email, Contact Your District And School To Express Your Opinion” »

By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. In today’s society, there are numerous factors that can cause trauma. Some studentswere traumatized by the Covid pandemic. They may have lost a close relative or startedto go astray without the eyes of caring adults, such as teachers, coaches, andcommunity leaders watching out for them. Add to that, there is…

Read More “Trauma-Informed Teaching in Special Education” »

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Do you remember the school bully?  Or, maybe you have seen movie depictions such as the red haired youth with his raccoon fur hat who terrorizes the main character, Ralphie, in A Christmas Story.  Bullying can occur anywhere in schools: in the classroom, in the bathroom, in…

Read More “School Suspension Or Expulsion For Bullying” »

Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 80 In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern, Partner & Clinical Director of Psychology at Playful Therapy Connections, an organization that specializes in supporting neurodivergent children, teens, adults & families with a focus on anxiety, depression, & navigating a neurotypical-world while being Autistic…

Read More “Affirming Support for the Neurodivergent Community with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern” »