Last Wednesday, the state's Select Committee on Special Education quietly posted two 63-page bills on the state website--HB 7277 and SB 1561--which if passed would have a horrific impact on thousands of students with disabilities. Among other difficulties, the bills (which are identical) seek to limit students' access to private special education schools and to … Continue reading Students’ Special Education Rights Under Attack in Connecticut
CT – PARENT INPUT NEEDED AT VIRTUAL SESSION – SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE
WHEN: 5:30 on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 REGISTER: https://bit.ly/3TCP251The Special Education Task Force was appointed by the CT State Legislature to study the provision and funding of special education in our state. The Task Force has developed a report with their initial findings. During these virtual 90 minute sessions, the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center will … Continue reading CT – PARENT INPUT NEEDED AT VIRTUAL SESSION – SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE
Reading is a civil right.
Why are only 32% of Connecticut fourth graders reading on grade level? And why are so many school superintendents in Connecticut in denial about our failure to give every child the opportunity to read well?Research tells us that, with the proper instruction, we can teach 95% or more of our students to read proficiently by … Continue reading Reading is a civil right.
What is the difference between a due process hearing, mediation, and a state complaint?
All three are dispute resolution processes described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state special education law.A due process hearing is a formal process that looks a lot like court. There is a hearing officer, who hears the evidence and issues a decision. There are exhibits, witnesses, and motions. There are nearly … Continue reading What is the difference between a due process hearing, mediation, and a state complaint?
Do you want to learn to be your child’s best advocate? Come to the COPAA conference in March 2024!
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) is a national organization that provides phenomenal training to parents, attorneys, and advocates from some of the best of the best presenters in the country! This year's conference is in Atlanta and takes place March 7-10, 2024. Note that Delta offers non-stop flights to Atlanta from Bradley … Continue reading Do you want to learn to be your child’s best advocate? Come to the COPAA conference in March 2024!
Obtaining a district-paid Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
What is an independent educational evaluation (IEE)? An IEE is an evaluation conducted by someone who is not an employee of the school district. When may I request a district-paid IEE? A parent's right to a district-paid IEE is triggered by the parent's disagreement with a school evaluation. I.e., the parents do not have a … Continue reading Obtaining a district-paid Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
How much progress is “appropriate?”
Sometimes parents hear from school teams that it is unreasonable to expect a child with disabilities to progress more than a year in a year's time. A letter from the U.S. Department of Education says otherwise. "In a situation where a child is performing significantly below the level of the grade in which the child … Continue reading How much progress is “appropriate?”