Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You *(pdf)
The definitive guide for parents of children with disabilities is out. This book is authored by two special education experts and draws on decades of experience from the front lines of special education advocacy. The authors, Jennifer Laviano and Julie Swanson, detail a strong, practical, and results oriented perspective that helps parents cut through the fog of special education to get the services their children deserve. "Our bottom line is parents are often ineffective at advocating for their child because they don't know their rights," said Jennifer Laviano, co-author and special education attorney. "We see it time and again: The child doesn't get what he or she needs because the parents don't know what they don't know. This book looks to change that," Laviano added. Your Special Education Rights demystifies the federal laws related to public school children with disabilities and explains how school districts often ignore or circumvent the law. "We're passionate to pull the curtain back on the realities of special education - and tell parents the truths that school districts don't always disclose," said Julie Swanson, co-author and special education advocate, who's also the mother of a child with a disability. "Our message to parents is - plain and simple: Know your rights or run the risk of being taken advantage of," Swanson added. Your Special Education Rights provides parents with vital information and specific guidance to address key challenges - including: How to respond to special education "urban legends" like your child is "too smart" for services; how to avoid "toothless" language in a special education plan; and overcoming discrimination and low expectations. The book also explains why now, more than ever before, parents must be vigilant to protect children's rights - and how recent Supreme Court case law and changes at the federal level impact children with disabilities. Though Your Special Education Rights is for parents primarily, educators and administrators can also learn how difficult it can be for parents to understand the special education system, which hopefully helps schools and parents work more closely. Read more
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Why Must Read Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You?
This book is a fantastic resource. Although I studied Special Education in grad school, and I have sat on both sides of the IEP table, the process always feels so complicated and arcane. This book helps simplify both the complex process as well as helping parents understand what might be at stake for schools when they make decisions. It is organized such that you can read it through, or simply look up that one thing you're trying to understand about your child's situation. It is clearly and simply written (it avoids legalese), and provides information in an accessible way. While a book like this can only claim to cover the federal legislation (individual state laws and interpretations may differ), it does a great job of framing the requirements the federal legislation imposes on states and localities. For example, if you want to review a copy of your child's educational records, the book explains that they cannot deny your request. The federal requirements state they must provide you access, and it must be within a 'reasonable time'; while our local school district defines the time frame as within 15 days, the book is clear they must provide the access and not drag their feet doing so. I find this book so helpful I've started ordering copies for friends whose kids are on the cusp of needing Special Education support to help them understand how to navigate the process and the school system. If you need to understand how to proceed through the 504/IEP process sitting across the table from school officials who are well versed in the law (or might not be well versed, to your child's detriment), I strongly recommend this book.
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