How To Determine If You Need An Educational Lawyer
Every child deserves the right to education. The K-12 education system recognizes that right. Children, upon reaching the appropriate age, are required to attend school and any school that refuses admission to students, for no valid reason, is sanctioned by the law. All students have equal educational opportunities including those with disabilities. Parents also have the right to make sure that their children are afforded the education guaranteed by laws, to question any statute or regulation which may impinge the rights of their child to education and to seek the aid of the court when the need arises. As decided by the court in numerous cases, education does not segregate, limit or discriminate.
When a parent is concerned about the quality of education his child is getting with the K-12 education system, that parent may consult an educational lawyer. A lawyer may provide answers needed by the parent taking into consideration the possible educational laws involved. A denial of educational opportunities will also warrant the assistance of a lawyer. A long line of jurisprudence already sustained its importance. Likewise, if a child is denied admission in a school for no apparent rational reason, it is wise to hire the services of a lawyer. In fact, any violation of educational laws or abuse in its enforcement entitles the child and parent to seek redress to the courts and hire a lawyer to represent them. However, most educational cases arise out of the implementation of special educational laws.
These laws give children with disabilities and their parents certain rights, most distinct of which is the right to attend an annual individualized education program or commonly known as IEP meeting and develop a written IEP plan with the representatives of the school district. The IEP is designed to meet the special educational needs of a child with disability. For parents with disabled children, knowledge of special education laws is important and consulting a lawyer may be helpful.
A lawyer may either handle the IEP process from beginning to end or take care of certain tasks only. Aside from being your representative in court, a lawyer will also handle all matters pertaining to the IEP such as requesting an IEP meeting, preparing and attending the IEP eligibility meeting, reviewing all forms and evaluations before signing them, researching all matters pertinent to the case including related jurisprudence, assessing the strength of the case before filing it, preparing and attending the hearings once the case is filed, writing legal forms required of the case and preparing the complaint to be filed to the appropriate educational agency.
However, knowing the cost of attorney's fees, it is imperative to determine when to hire an educational lawyer. The more complex the case is, the more likely legal advice must be sought. Certain cases require the special knowledge and experience an attorney can provide. If the parent doubts whether or not there is a good case against the school district, it is better to consult a lawyer. A good lawyer will tell you if you have a good case or none. For parents who do not have the time and energy, hiring a lawyer to represent you is best. Know your budget. Hiring an educational lawyer may be costly.
If the school district employs an attorney, it is better to also hire one to level the playing field. Lawyers know legal terminologies that ordinary people may not know of.
Parents are good advocates in upholding their child's right to education. But in order to be certain with the legal implication of educational laws, it is best to consult an educational lawyer.
Educational Law Firms
- Burke, Williams and Sorensen, LLP
- Gary S. Mayerson and Associates
- Rene Thomas Folse, Esq.
- Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP
- Varma and Clancy, Esqs.