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Special Education Law

Helping parents seeking the best educational opportunities for their special needs child 

Children with special education needs have a right to an appropriate education that is guaranteed by federal law, known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA was enacted in 1975 and has been revised several times since then. Under IDEA 2004, parents are required to do a great deal. In fact, it is now largely up to parents, themselves, to make sure their special needs children get the special education they are entitled to.

My firm

I have been a special education lawyer since 1994, and believe deeply that every child deserves an equal chance. I have degrees from Harvard University and the University of Chicago. I use my education, experience and determination to fight for parents every day. I know you want the best for your child, and am here to help.

What you need to know

The language used by school officials can be a barrier to effective communication. Parents need to teach themselves the jargon they will encounter as they work to help their child. I make sure my clients have the knowledge they need to understand what educators are telling them.

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that gives special education rights to the families of children with special needs.
• Free appropriate public education (FAPE) means special education that is provided for special needs children at public expense.
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written document that forms the basis for the child's education goals and the duties of the school district to meet those goals. If a service or accommodation is not in the IEP, it does not exist.
• Special education eligibility. Under IDEA, every school district is required to evaluate children with disabilities to determine whether they qualify for special education.
• The IEP plan is reviewed and updated annually. Parent participation in these meetings is of critical importance.
• For a child with inappropriate classroom behaviors, a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) may be included in his or her IEP.
• An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is an early intervention plan for infants and toddlers. It aims at improving a family's ability to meet the special needs of their pre-school age children with disabilities.
• "SPED" attorney is an acronym used to describe a lawyer who focuses on special education law and advocacy.

If you need help with any matter related to your special needs child's education, please contact me today. I work with parents in the greater Kansas City area and elsewhere throughout Kansas and Missouri to get their children the education they deserve.

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Equal Chance Education Consulting, LLC
22052 West 66th Street, Suite 186
Shawnee, KS 66226-3500

913-825-5286 (phone)
1-866-664-2938 (fax)
E-mail