Category Archives: Special Education / School Law

Reflections on Late Summer

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Micki Moran

I am never in a back to school mode until after Labor Day. It is a by-product of growing up in an era when school didn’t start until after the 1st of September and the last few weeks of August … Continue reading →

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Mediation in Special Education

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Micki Moran

Recently, I was asked to do an in-service for the mediators who are appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education. My co-presenter was a well known school district attorney. The purpose of the training was to discuss suggestions and … Continue reading →

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Private Placements

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Micki Moran

The Fourth of July is over and summer always seems to move into fast forward. There is little down time despite school being out of session. Unfortunately the issues of children and teenagers with disabilities aren’t confined to the nine … Continue reading →

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School Administrators Propose Change to Due Process System: Interesting IDEA?

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Micki Moran

Recently the American Association of School Administrators proposed a drastic change in the system known as “Due Process Hearings”. The change suggested would follow a model already underway on a voluntary basis in Massachusetts and would involve a “consultant IEP” … Continue reading →

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The Cost of Getting What You Need: Many Children Left Behind

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Micki Moran

This is my 17th year in this area of practice-notably special education law and other disability related areas of law practice. While I have always done a considerable amount of pro bono work, the need in recent years has been … Continue reading →

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Transition-Assessing Readiness for Life and College as if their Lives Depended on it.

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Micki Moran

Transition planning is a legal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I believe it is one of the central purposes of the access to special education afforded by that law. Yet, at many and indeed most Individual Education … Continue reading →

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Help: Do I need an Attorney?

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Micki Moran

Despite the difficulties some parents encounter, most disputes between school district and parents are resolved without the need for interventions from attorneys. That is the good news. However, as evidenced by my practice that has continued to grow over the … Continue reading →

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Karma

Posted on March 29, 2013 by MickiMoran

Last week I received a call from a lawyer who had reviewed a CLE presentation I had done on School Discipline. He was handling his first expulsion case and wanted some advice. I was busy and thought for a brief … Continue reading →

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Reflections of a Special Education Lawyer

Posted on March 27, 2013 by MickiMoran

Yesterday, I traveled to Rockford, Illinois, to give a presentation on Special Education Law to a group of parents of children with autism. The parents had arrived early on a Saturday morning, anxious to hear how to navigate the labyrinth … Continue reading →

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January 1, 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by MickiMoran

Happy New Year to all my clients and colleagues. The last several months have been very humbling and have provided me with a window into what having a disability means on a day to day basis. In late October, on … Continue reading →

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