Navigating the special education system can be overwhelming for parents, especially when a school falls short of its responsibilities. If you live in Greater Oklahoma City and your child has a disability, you have legal protections, and you don't have to face this challenge alone.
Federal law requires public schools to provide eligible students with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Yet far too often, schools in places like Edmond, Dale, Nichols Hills, Cedar Valley, Norman, and Lake Aluma fail to follow through. When that happens, the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team steps in to help families get the services their children are entitled to.
Call the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact our offices using our online form to protect your child's rights.
Your Child's Right to an Appropriate Education
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must identify students with disabilities and provide them with individualized support. This includes creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each eligible student. The IEP is more than just a document, and it is a legal promise that your child will receive the support they need to learn and grow.
In practice, that support might look like extended test time for a student with ADHD or speech therapy. The IEP should reflect the student's specific strengths, challenges, and educational goals.
Other federal laws, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), also protect students. These laws require schools to offer reasonable accommodations, often through a 504 Plan. These plans help ensure students with disabilities can access the same learning opportunities as their peers.
What Happens When Schools Fail?
When school districts neglect their legal duties, students suffer. Missed services, delayed evaluations, or unfair disciplinary actions can derail a child's academic progress. For example, a student might be suspended for behavior related to an undiagnosed disability. Without the right support, setbacks can compound quickly and become permanent.
That is why legal support matters. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team works with families to demand compliance from school districts. We take a multi-faceted approach, using negotiation when possible and litigation when necessary. We have helped families across central Oklahoma hold schools accountable and secure the services their children deserve.
How the IEP Process Should Work
The IEP process starts with evaluating whether a student qualifies under IDEA. Qualifying disabilities include learning disorders like dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, and emotional or behavioral disorders. Once eligibility is confirmed, an IEP team that usually includes parents, educators, and school administrators meets to create a tailored education plan.
This plan outlines the student's goals, the services they will receive, and how their progress will be measured. It should be reviewed and updated at least once a year, but parents can request changes if their child's needs shift. A strong IEP is built on collaboration. But if the school resists or fails to follow through, legal action may be necessary.
If you suspect your child's IEP is being ignored or was not properly drafted, do not wait. The sooner you act, the better your chance of getting meaningful help for your child.
Special Education Challenges Facing Families in the Oklahoma City Area
Even with strong federal protections in place, students with disabilities still face unnecessary barriers. From missed diagnoses to improperly handled discipline, these failures can have lasting consequences. Parents do not have to fight alone to ensure their child receives the education to which they are legally entitled.
Here are some of the most common issues families encounter:
- Delayed or Missed Disability Identification. In many districts, students with conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, or language impairments may go unrecognized. This delays essential support. Parents have the right to request a formal evaluation. Schools are obligated to respond promptly.
- Incomplete or Improper IEP Teams. An effective Individualized Education Program requires input from a well-rounded team. At a minimum, that usually includes a special education teacher, a general education teacher, and a district representative. Unfortunately, administrators may be unfamiliar or inexperienced with forming a proper IEP team.
- Missed Annual Reviews. Federal guidelines require schools to revisit each IEP at least once a year. Skipping or rushing this review process, which can be common in busy suburban school districts, may leave students stuck with outdated accommodations that no longer fit.
- Failure to Follow the IEP. Even when a strong plan exists, some schools do not follow through. For instance, a student may be promised extra time on tests or behavioral support but never receive them in practice. Without enforcement, the IEP might never take effect.
- Skipping the Manifestation Determination Review. When a student with an IEP faces removal from school, the district must determine whether the behavior in question was a result of their disability. This required review (called a manifestation determination) is sometimes overlooked. As a result, students may face punishments that violate their federal rights.
Each of these failures to follow the law can derail a student's education, limit their progress, and impact their ability to thrive socially. The education lawyers at the Lento Law Firm have many years of experience making sure that students and their rights are respected by school districts in the OKC area.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team Gets Children the Help They Need
If your child is not getting the special education services they need, the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is ready to help. We work with families throughout Oklahoma City, from Edmond and Norman to Midwest City and everywhere in between, helping enforce students' rights under federal laws like the IDEA and Section 504.
Our attorneys can intervene when schools refuse to evaluate a student, fail to follow the IEP., or impose discipline without considering disability-related factors. Whether your child needs additional academic support or legal advocacy to contest a suspension, our education lawyers are prepared to act quickly and effectively on your behalf.
If your child is not getting the academic support they are legally entitled to, do not wait. Call 888-535-3686 or leave us a message online.
