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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 The end of the 2019-2020 school year was a nightmare for kids, and hardest hit were special needs students. Now that fall 2020 is starting mainly at home, students are not likely to receive adequate special education services, including their “related services.” Related services are…
Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 76 In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Meagan Gillcrist, the Executive Director and Founder of AlignEd. Meagan shares her journey, from over a decade of experience as a special education teacher to overseeing special education programming and ultimately founding AlignEd. AlignEd is focused on…
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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 There are a multitude of bases for student discipline. One of those bases involves fighting (aka “mutual combat”), threats, and/or physical violence to another. Such conduct may or may not get a student suspended or placed up for expulsion. Per California Education Code 48900(a)(1) for…
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Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 79 In this episode of Stress-Free IEP ®, Frances Shefter speaks with Diane Gould, Founder & Executive Director of PDA North America. PDA North America provides support and resources for individuals, families, and professionals living with Pathological Demand Avoidance. Episode Summary: IntroductionHost Frances Shefter welcomes Diane Gould, a licensed…
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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 What district a student is a resident of is usually a simple matter isn’t it? Where does one live and what does the online map say? Regardless, sometimes this can become a tricky and very important issue for kids. Where a student resides legally comes…
Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 77 In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Michelle Letterly, a financial advisor specializing in helping families with special needs children. Michelle shares advice on budgeting, insurance, and protecting children’s benefits. Episode Summary: Introduction:Frances Shefter welcomes Michelle Letterly from Primerica’s Letterly Group, an experienced former special…
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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 In 2020, students were granted the right to have medical marijuana administered to them in school by their parent or guardian IF formally authorized by their school district. The circumstances surrounding this potential opportunity can be confusing and if the law is not followed properly,…
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By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq. Imagine sitting in a classroom, excited to learn. Then imagine that you don’t have theitems you need to be successful, such as a pencil or a notebook. Well, for specialeducation students, they don’t have to imagine because this is the situation they facedaily when they are denied assistive technology. What…
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By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Transitioning from high school to college can be exciting and challenging for young adults. For a student who was previously on an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or Section 504 plan (accommodations plan) in high school, the challenges increase. However, proper planning and talking to the…
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Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 78 In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Robin Brannan, a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist with 20+ years experience supporting neurodivergent families. Her practice, Better Together Family Therapy, specializes in neurodiversity affirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy for adults, children, teens and families. She and…
