Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) was named as a defendant in a lawsuit that the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) recently filed. The plaintiffs assert that the district has policies that show significant biases against students in a vulnerable population who attend charter schools in the area. The plaintiffs allege that certain policies limiting charter co-locations violate education law and prevent many students from achieving their full potential academically.   The existing policies limit school choice for parents who choose LAUSD public charter schools to ..read more

In California and beyond, there are millions of school students with disabilities. Under Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law, it states that individuals with disabilities who are participants in federally funded programs or programs that receive federal financial aid must not be excluded from participation or denied benefits because of a disability. This carries over into the education system because public schools are overseen by the U.S. Government. Special education law states that students with disabilities are entitled to free appropriate public education (FAPE) u ..read more

Education is an important part of a child’s life, especially when it comes to children who have special needs. The right program or school can provide them with the tools they need to thrive. California parents of children with disabilities may have concerns about the programs available at public schools and may worry that only private schools will be able to meet their child’s needs. If your child has unique educational needs, he or she can still go to public school due to FAPE, a federal law that provides an opportunity for all children to have a free appropriate public education. What is FA ..read more

Every California school student is entitled to a safe learning environment within the public school system. Students with special needs often require accommodation provided by an adult assistant who helps them navigate each school day. All students, not just those with special needs, require constant supervision during school hours. Education laws are in place to keep students safe.  The court recently awarded a 17-year-old girl who has special needs $26 million in a civil suit brought against the school district that failed to ensure the student’s safety in the classroom several years ag ..read more

Providing care for a child with a mental, emotional or physical disability can be both rewarding and stressful. Parents often need additional support from family, friends and their community to help meet their children’s needs. Many of these children struggle in an academic environment, which is why California special education law provides resources to help such students achieve their full potential. Under California law, every student has a right to a free and thorough education. A child with special needs must be afforded the same opportunities that students without disabilities receive. Pa ..read more

In California and all other states, every public school student is entitled to a quality education. If a student has special needs due to a physical, emotional or mental health issue or has a learning disability, the school district will provide accommodations in the form of resources or assistants to help the student achieve his or her full potential in a mainstream academic setting. Parents in a particular school district are upset, saying their children with special needs are being short-changed due to staff shortages in their school district. One parent says her child has not attended a fu ..read more

The California public school system entitles every student to a free and appropriate education. If a child has a physical or mental condition that impedes their ability to thrive in school, the state provides resources to accommodate and support that child. These special education laws are designed to help every student achieve full potential in an academic setting.  If your child lives with a disability and is struggling in school, you can request an evaluation to determine whether the child qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Eligible students are entitled to a tail ..read more

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. You understand his or her needs, know what motivates him or her, and you can identify issues that you need to resolve. This is why you are one of the most important and effective advocates your child will have in his or her education. If your child requires special assistance in school due to physical or mental limitations, your student has the right to assistance through the special education program.  A critical component of your child’s education is the Individualized Education Program, known as the IEP. This is a document that outli ..read more

The California public school system provides resources and accommodations to help students achieve their full learning potential. If a student is struggling in school, a parent or legal guardian can request an assessment. If the assessment shows a specific need, further discussions can be facilitated to determine how the school system can help. There are two categories of special needs that most often impede academic success for California students. Speech impairments and learning disabilities are the two most common types of special needs in California schools. Such needs often create eligibi ..read more

The California public school system provides individual education programs (IEPs) and other resources to accommodate students with special needs. The education laws that govern such issues are at the center of a lawsuit that was filed by a group of parents from the Jewish community. These parents say state laws are violating their religious liberties by not allowing children with special needs who attend religious schools to access the same resources.    The parents say that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) enables all children with disabilities to receive ..read more