What type of attorney would represent a child...

[mssocks]

.....when dealing with a school district and fair treatment for the home bound? Without getting too detailed, boy is THAT going to be tough, a child has been home bound for months. The school district has dragged their feet and harrassed the parents from day one. There is now a tutor and since we are at the end of the school year, the date for completed work has changed. It will now conflict with a stay at Childrens Hospital. Not to mention a reinstated requirement to read a specific book when the child is incapacitated by migraines and cannot read.

Family Law? I don't know where to start looking......Help fellow DIS'ers!!

 

[LadyyRedd]

I don't have any knowledge in this area, but from what I understand, I *think* that the child would be appointed a Guardian Ad Litum to represent his/her best interests. Maybe someone else can confirm or deny.

Kimya

 

[MidgeD79]

In MI we have a group called Michigan Protection and Advocacy that specialize in the rights of the disabled. We had an attorney come to ds's IEP and we got everything we wanted without a peep from the people representing the school. If your area has a ISD they may be able to direct you to where you need to go.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Here there are a couple of non-profit agencies that have staff who specialize in Special Ed Advocacy.

Not everyone who does this is an attorney, some are social work type people who have extensive training in the legal matters.

I'm wondering if there is a nearby Parents Support Group for whatever type of illness you are dealing with? If so, there is a very good chance that somebody connected to them will know of the best avenue.

 

[lsyorke]

I hear your pain. My son was in the same situation due to a medical problem. The school provided home instruction as ordered by the doctor and IEP for a year and then lost their home instructor(she was great!, but got fed up). We waited for months for a new teacher, or a computer based program.. no dice. When they finally accused me of "scamming the system" I lost it(remember we had an IEP AND a doctors letter). I withdrew him, filed a complaint with the Department of Education(which resulted in NOTHING) and homeschooled him myself for his senior year.

 

[mssocks]

Thanks - I knew I could count on someone to answer me! This school district is notorious for not following through until threatened by a lawyer - and that just bites! Their first priority should be education, not prevarication! It's been the same story with needing doctors notes and making her attend when she was obviously ill etc. My personal opinion is she could pass everything without a blink, she's in honors everything and was taking math at the community college level.

If anyone knows of the type of law needed here in Pennsylvania, let me know!

 

[ElizaB39]

Hi mssocks, I see you are in Montgomery County, PA. I am as well, just a bit south of you in Limerick.

How about contacting our state legislators? Here is the link:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...egislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=MONTGOMERY

 

[golfgal]

I did some homebound tutoring and the school is required to provide a tutor, which you probably know. I would also ask for an evaluation for special ed if the child can't read. They will have to make accommodations like providing a book on tape so the child can listen to the book instead. You might want to contact your local teacher's union to ask for suggestions as to who to contact for legal assistance. They have a lot of experience dealing with schools and can probably point you in the right direction.

 

[mssocks]

Hi mssocks, I see you are in Montgomery County, PA. I am as well, just a bit south of you in Limerick.

How about contacting our state legislators? Here is the link:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...egislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=MONTGOMERY

Hi Neighbor! I used to travel over that way quite a bit. Picked up 422 at Royersford.

Anyway thanks again to all for the suggestions - I agree about the audio book and I know the home tutor is NOT pleased with the school either.

FYI - I have to say a different thank you for being so nice. I asked someone here at the office because their wife has a doctorate and they are very connected people wise. What a mistake! I got a lecture about how they didn't have anything to do with home schooling! Did I say this was home schooling? No - this is the education she is entitled to by law provided by the school since she is unable to go to the building. Some people!!

 

[ducklite]

Yellow pages, education law. DO'nt hold your breath, very few are willing to take ona school district, and even fewer "get it" when they are.

Best bet is a call to the State Department of Education.

BUT.

Does the child have an IEP? Is there a classification?

Because without either of those you do'nt ahve much of a leg to stand on.

Anne