Category Archives: Special Education
In a recent guidance letter, the federal Office of Special Education Programs (“OSEP”) explained that a local educational agency (“LEA”) may not condition holding an IEP meeting on a parent’s attorney not participating or on the parent providing prior notice of its intent to invite the attorney. Letter to Andel, 116 LRP 8548 (February 17, 2016). In Letter to Andel, OSEP reiterated its longstanding position that the attendance of attorneys at IEP meetings “should be strongly discouraged” due to the potential for creating an adversarial atmosphere. Despite this position, OSEP pointed out that IDEA’s implementing regulations permit a parent or an LEA to invite to the IEP meeting individuals with special expertise regarding the child. However, while the regulations require the LEA to notify the parent in advance regarding who will attend an IEP meeting, there is no corresponding obligation on the part of the parent. OSEP stated that in the “spirit of cooperation,” the parent should inform the LEA ahead of time if he/she intends to bring an attorney. Often times, attorneys, as a matter of professional courtesy, will notify the LEA or its attorney if they intend on participating in an IEP meeting. However, there is nothing in the IDEA or its implementing regulations that would permit an LEA to conduct an IEP meeting on the condition that the parent’s attorney not participate. Therefore, when a parent unexpectedly brings his/her attorney to an IEP meeting, OSEP explained that it would be permissible for an LEA to reschedule the meeting to another date and time so that it could include its own attorney under the following circumstances: (1) the parent agrees to reschedule, and (2) the postponement does not result in a delay or denial of FAPE to the child.
Posted in IEP, Special Education, Uncategorized
Tagged guidance letter, lawyer, Office of Special Education Programs
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Local School Districts Have To Now Pay Some Additional Teacher Pension Costs
In conjunction with this week’s passage of a state budget for fiscal year 2018, the Illinois General Assembly approved a new law that significantly changes the Illinois Pension Code by creating an optional “Tier III” benefit structure and changing the … Continue reading
Posted in East Leyden, Economy, Education, Finance, foia, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Illinois, Illinois Pensions, Leyden, minimum wage, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, politics, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park School District 81, Social Media, Special Education, Taxation, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden
Tagged Board of Education, District 81, education, Illinois, Lincoln Middle School, Roy McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park School District 81, School District Consolidation, Special Education, Washington School
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Leyden High School District 212 Has Embarked on “the beginning of a historic construction project” Paid for By the Leyden Taxpayers
On May 18th, a ground breaking was held for the construction and renovation project at West Leyden, with additional construction and renovation projects planned for East Leyden. You can follow the construction projects at : East Leyden : … Continue reading
Posted in #leydenpride, East Leyden, Economic Development, Economy, Education, Elections, Finance, Franklin Park, gangs, Illinois, Illinois Pensions, Leyden, Norridge, Northlake, political satire, politics, Roy F. McCampbell, Social Media, Special Education, Uncategorized, West Leyden
Tagged Board of Education, education, Illinois, Leyden, Leyden High School District 212, McCampbell, Rosemont, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park School District 81, School District Consolidation, Special Education, Village of Schiller Park
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Is Leyden High School SD 212 Achieving Its Transparency Goal ?
In a democracy it is especially important that citizens have access to information so they can actively participate in government and make good choices on Election Day; at Leyden School District 212, transparency is the best way to promote #leydenpride … Continue reading
Posted in #leydenpride, East Leyden, Economy, Education, Elections, Finance, foia, Franklin Park, Illinois, Illinois Pensions, Leyden, News, Northlake, political satire, politics, Roy F. McCampbell, Special Education, Taxation, West Leyden
Tagged #leydenpride, Greg Ignoffo, Leyden, Leyden High School District 212, Nick Polyak, transparency
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Community Fundraisers We Should Consider Attending
Posted in Autism, College, East Leyden, Education, Franklin Park, Golf Outings, Harwood Heights, Health, Leyden, News, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, Schiller Park Recreation, Schiller Park School District 81, schillerparkblog, Social Media, Special Education, Sports, Sports Scholarships, Union Ridge SD86
Tagged fund raisers
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Leyden and Norwood Park Townships Need To Seriously Consider School District Consolidation
One of the maddening aspects of the state’s ongoing financial crisis is that some obvious long-term solutions are rarely considered. One solution to the massive tax collections by state and local government is to reduce the number of local governments. … Continue reading →