April 2018 The MLO Minute: English Language Learners (“ELL”) By Tanya Alvarado, Esq. Pennsylvania Guidelines for Identifying Students Who Are English Language Learners and Have Special Education Needs The PA Department of Education provides Guidelines for the education of English Language Learners (ELL) who may be eligible for, or already have, IEPs. See, PDE…
April 2018 The MLO Minute: When Anxiety Interferes with a Student’s Ability to Learn: IEPs, 504 Plans, and the Limits of District Responsibility There are seven types of anxiety that may impact students in the educational setting: Generalized Anxiety Disorder – chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke…
Spring 2018 The MLO Minute: Spring Cleaning for Your Estate Plan The arrival of spring means longer days, the start of baseball season, warmer weather, and blooming flowers. It is also the time to tackle the household chores and projects that got put off all winter. While checking these items off your to-do list, spring…
April 2018 The MLO Minute: Important Updates to 529 and ABLE accounts The new tax law enacted on December 22, 2017 contained important updates in regard to both 529 and ABLE accounts. These accounts are both designed to promote savings that grow tax-free, so long as they are used for a specified purpose (529…
April 2018 The MLO Minute: Our Clients and Colleagues Respond to Our Litigation Victories Our recent MLO Minutes reported two recent major litigation decisions in which we prevailed on behalf of children with disabilities. Our clients, friends, and colleagues have responded, and we pass their comments along with gratitude and profound respect. “I have been…
March 27th, 2018 The MLO Minute: Department of Justice Reaches Settlement on ADA Violations with one of the Largest Childcare Providers in the U.S. By Michael Connolly, Esq. The Learning Care Group, Inc. (“LCG”), one of the largest child care providers in North America which operates under several different “brands” including Childtime Learning Centers, Tutor Time…
February 15th, 2018 The MLO Minute: COLORADO’S US DISTRICT COURT DECISION IN ENDREW F. DECLARES ANOTHER VICTORY FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS By Tanya Alvarado, Esq. Parents and professionals working with children with special education needs recall last year’s resounding victory when the United States Supreme Court unanimously struck down the exceedingly low standards set by…
February 15th, 2018 The MLO Minute: OSER’s Q and A to Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District Recently, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued guidance to School Districts and Parents regarding Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District. Available to download at https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/qa-endrewcase-12-07-2017.pdf This guidance provides some important guidance for IEP Teams.…
FREE Presentation on Special Education and the Law: A Practical Overview for Families Presented by Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq. with McAndrews Law Offices, in conjunction with HEROS – Helping with Educational Resources Organization & Support. Come & learn about your child’s educational rights in school, including special education services and regulations that insure your child MUST receive free,…
March 16th, 2018 The MLO Minute: Free Special Education Consultations and Contingent Fees Provide Families Access To MLO Services In 1986, Congress passed, and President Reagan signed into law, amendments to the federal special education law (IDEA) which provides that parents who prevail in a special education case are entitled to payment of reasonable counsel fees.…