January 2018: When our firm began handling special education matters thirty (30) years ago, the primary issue often involved the identification of a student’s disability, because at that time, school districts routinely determined a child’s program and placement solely upon the student’s disability, and not upon the student’s individual needs. Fortunately, after years of advocacy by McAndrews Law Offices, school systems now more typically recognize that a student’s needs, rather than a particular disability diagnosis, must drive the student’s program and placement. For it is only by addressing an individual student’s actual needs, rather than simply looking at a disability label, that a truly Individualized Education Plan be properly created and implemented.

 

In special-education cases today, a much wider variety of issues are involved, and we have developed a national reputation in addressing these issues. These matters can include the following:

 

-Tuition reimbursement at private schools

 

-Development of research-based instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics

 

-Scientifically-based therapies and related services

 

-Compensatory education for failures of a school program to provide a fully appropriate special education program

 

-Development of programs in the least restrictive environment

 

-Transition planning with community-based, meaningful programs for students nearing the end of their educational entitlement

 

-Child find for students who have never been properly identified

 

-Bullying

 

-Sexual harassment/misconduct

 

-Discipline/suspension/expulsion

 

-Charter school issues

 

Thirty years ago, it was also rare for school districts to pay counsel fees for parents who pursued special education matters on behalf of their children, but in the vast majority of our cases today, we obtain counsel fees for the intensive work of our firm, and most parents do not pay hourly fees for our services. We also offer free consultations in most types of special education matters.

 

While the issues involved in special education cases have changed over the past 50 years, the commitment of our special education team to children, their families, and the educational system has never wavered, and is stronger than ever. We are fortunate to have developed outstanding relationships with various psychologists, therapists, tutors, private schools, and other stakeholders in the special education system, all of which benefit our clients greatly. Please feel free to contact our office to address any of these matters by calling 610-648-9300 or by clicking here.

 

By Dennis McAndrews, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner of McAndrews Law Offices, P.C.

and

Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq., Supervising Partner of the Special Education Department

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