Special education can make a huge difference for kids—if it works. But when it doesn't, kids get left behind and treated unfairly.
For parents, navigating special education in the Inland Empire can feel like a battle. The Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm can help. Call us at 888.535.3686or fill out our confidential consultation form.
A Parent's Guide to Special Education Rights
If you're considering a top public school for your child, it's good to know that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), kids are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). In the past, behaviors linked to disabilities were wrongly seen as misconduct. IDEA made sure students got help, not punishment. Special education must now be tailored to fit the unique gifts and challenges of each child.
In California, special education rules are established by the Special Education Division of the California Department of Education.
What Can You Expect from a Special Education Program?
Let's look at some examples of how special ed might look. For some kids, special ed means extra reading help outside the classroom to work on reading comprehension. Other kids benefit from having a special education teacher right in the classroom, who helps them grasp reading or math concepts while their classmates continue at their regular pace. Another option is a self-contained classroom, with special lessons.
Inland Empire School Districts
Here are a few top public school districts in the Inland Empire and their approach to special ed:
Chaffey Joint Union High School District
Chaffey Joint Union High School Districtserves Ontario, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, and portions of Fontana, Upland, Chino, and Mount Baldy. In 2012, voters passed an $848 million bond issue, giving the District solid resources. The District's special education page states:
Our office is committed to:
- Ensuring appropriate programs and services are provided to meet the needs of each student with disabilities.
- Ensuring a full continuum of programs is available to each student with exceptional needs.
- Assuring that each student with disabilities is integrated within the district curriculum and extracurricular activities as appropriate.
- Assuring the availability of due process rights for all students and their parents.
- Increasing awareness of parents of students with exceptional needs.
- Maintaining opportunities for sharing technical resources.
- Maintaining lines of communication with parents, staff, and the Community Advisory Committee.
Upland Unified School District
Upland is a good K-12 School District. Here's an excerpt from Upland's Inclusive Practices manifesto: “Our schools operate on the premise that students with disabilities are as fundamentally competent as students without. All students can be full participants in their classrooms and in their local school communities. Successful inclusion happens through accepting, understanding, and attending to student differences and diversity.”
Riverside Unified School District
Riverside Unified School District is a well-regarded public school district with a top STEM academy. At Riverside, the categories of special ed eligibility for ages 3 through 22 are:
- Autism
- Deaf-blindness
- Deafness
- Hearing impairment,(Hard of Hearing)
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple disabilities
- Orthopedic impairment
- Other health impairment
- Serious emotional disturbance
- Specific learning disability
- Speech or language impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual impairment
Your child can succeed in these school districts, but if you run into issues, the Lento Law Firm is here to help you get things on track.
Securing the Right Support for Your Child
Here's how to be proactive:
- Know the Evaluation Process: Schools can be overwhelmed and sometimes miss signs of a disability. Understand your school's process to help your child get what they need.
- Set Up a Strong IEP: The IEP is a game plan for your child's education. It shows what they're good at, what they need help with, and their goals.
- Track Progress: Watch how the IEP is actually working. If it's not cutting it, speak up, set up a meeting, and ask for changes that will help.
- Get Legal Help: If the school isn't listening or your child's needs are being ignored, a special ed lawyer can help you navigate the system and make sure your child's rights are protected.
The right support at school is key, and sometimes you need a lawyer to make sure you get it.
The Lento Law Firm: Your Ally in Special Education
When schools don't play fair, we'll be there:
- Smart Advocacy: We don't try to bludgeon the school into doing what we want. We try a cooperative tone first. We know when to cite the law and when to let them talk. We make a plan and keep your child's best interests at the forefront.
- Tailored Support: Every kid's different, so we make sure your child gets the exact help they need.
- Nationwide Support for Families: Whether you're in a big city or small town, we know how to navigate the web of state and federal special education laws. We also speak the language of your district and what makes them tick.
- Proactive Representation: Laws around special education are always changing, so we stay ahead. We stay up to date with the changing approaches.
Every child's educational journey is one-of-a-kind. To help them succeed, they need a plan that's just as unique.
The Lento Law Firm: Standing Strong for Special Education Rights
We've got it covered—Federal and State laws, local school district policies, and practical strategies. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is in your corner. Call us at 888.535.3686or fill out our confidential consultation form. We focus on your child's rights and hold schools accountable.
