Do you know your child’s education rights?
Our Education Advocacy Program (EAP) attorneys are here with a few pointers for parents of diverse learners who are eager to help their children succeed.
With the new school year in full swing, the Moran Center’s Education Advocacy Program (EAP) is available to help you and your student navigate the special education system, school discipline, and more.
What do Moran Center education attorneys do?
We provide legal advice and representation to families and students in Evanston/Skokie and Rogers Park facing:
- inadequate special education services;
- suspension, expulsions, and other discipline issues;
- bullying, harassment, and discrimination;
- compensatory education and recovery services issues; and
- other school-related issues
We also offer “Know Your Rights” trainings on the special education/diverse learner system and school discipline rights for both families and community organizations in Evanston/Skokie and Rogers Park.
Can we help your child?
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want the Moran Center to offer a “Know Your Rights” training to your organization or families you serve to learn more about parents’ and students’ educational rights.
Families interested in our services or with questions about your child’s education can call our main line (847-492-1410) to complete a prescreen intake. We can also support non-English speaking families through a language line or a Spanish-speaking attorney.
Our Advice for the School Year
To start the year off right, see below for some of our top tips to support your student this school year.
1. Communicate (via email and/or phone) with your child’s teachers and service providers at least every other week to get updates regarding your child’s progress.
2. Schools must provide parents/caregivers with draft Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and evaluation reports at least three (3) school days prior to a child’s IEP meeting—make sure the IEP team sends you these documents in advance so you have time to review them before the meeting.
3. During your child’s IEP meeting:
- Take notes, or bring someone with you to help take notes;
- Ask the team to start the meeting with your child’s strengths;
- Bring someone to support your viewpoint;
- Ask questions!
- Don’t be afraid to disagree, but come to the meeting open to creative and collaborative solutions.
- Bottom line: You are the most important member of your student’s IEP team.
4. If it’s not written down, it didn’t or won’t happen! Be sure any agreements you make with your child’s IEP team are included in the IEP document.
We look forward to working with you this year and providing more families with holistic, community-based educational advocacy!
The Moran Center Education Advocacy Team is:
