Advocacy
What is education advocacy? Not every conflict requires a lawsuit, but that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from the help of an experienced advocate. Take charge of your or your child’s educational rights as early as possible.
IEP, 504, and Disability Accommodations
An IEP or 504 plan is designed to provide reasonable accommodations for children with a wide range of individual needs. The IEP process continues through your child’s entire school career, involving obtaining an IEP, keeping it up to date via productive IEP meetings, and ensuring that your child’s school complies with the IEP and the law. If you want help with any step of the process, talk to Harris today.
Disciplinary Hearings
High school, college, and university disciplinary proceedings are notoriously unfair. They might tell you you don’t need – or even that you’re not permitted to have – a trained legal advocate by your side. Don’t listen. When your permanent record, your housing and dining privileges, or even your status as a student are on the line, call Harris. You’ll get a free initial consultation, a sympathetic ear on the phone, and an authoritative voice before the Board or Hearing Officer.
Parent-Teacher and Administrative Conferences
If teachers persistently clash with your child, and administrators don’t know what to do, a friendly and helpful advocate can turn a hostile meeting into a productive one. You don’t have to face them alone.
Complaints and Litigation
When it comes time to defend your or your child’s rights, you might have to take a more aggressive route. If asking politely doesn’t make the district see things your way, you might be able to ask a judge or even the Department of Education for help.
Board Complaints and Appearances
High school disciplinary issues such as suspensions and expulsions are often appealable directly to the local Board of Education. Harris is experienced working within local district regulations and aggressively pursuing all avenues of relief.
Due Process Complaints
Schools and districts must follow complicated rules and procedures – rules designed over decades to stop them from coming up with new ways to ignore your rights. Don’t let the district get away with endless delays, ignoring your requests, and failing its obligations under the IEP.
California Department of Education Complaints
Many complaints, particularly those involving students with disabilities, may be brought directly to the California Department of Education, or CDE. The CDE has the power to order school districts to comply with IEPs and applicable law.
Litigation
For some injuries, neglect, discrimination, and other issues, it might be time to ask a court to step in. Don’t be afraid to get the help you need early in the process. Litigation is a big step. Harris can help you determine if it’s the right one for you.