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've spoken to many parents who believe that mediation is mandatory in Massachusetts. This is not the case. Mediation is voluntary. If the school requests mediation, parents can decline. Similarly, parents can invite the school to mediation and the school can refuse to participate. Participation in a due process hearing is mandatory. This is one way mediation differs from a due process hearing.
This question was originally posted on www.avvo.com.
Question:
My son is disabled and we have been having a problem with our school system. He has a special ed teacher that has said statements to him like "you will never get your driver's license because you can't read" "you will never get a job because you are too lazy and don't know how to do anything" there has been many other comments. I'm just wondering if I have a case?
My son is 5 yrs old and now in Kindergarten. He was just recently diagnosed w/ selective mutism. He struggles at school socially, I addressed this concern with the head start program last year, they continued to pass it off as shyness. He went the ENTIRE year without speaking to the teacher and/or social worker. The head start program is meant for "early intervention" yet no screening took place. I am concerned for other children who may be experiencing this same problem, tax dollars and/or county money is used for this early intervention program yet they are not properly screening and/or detecting issues that are of concern. Please advise, any help is appreciated.
My son has an autism spectrum disorder. He has problems, and is not in the appropriate special ed class, despite a request to change. He has had CPS called because of issues that are related to his problems, more than once. He has trouble with appropriate urination, which is common in autism, and he has had times where he has been told he stinks even though he has showered and his clothes directly from the dryer. They say it is cat pee, and while we have cats, this isn't the problem. I do everything I can to make sure he doesn't "smell" before he leaves.
My 8yr old G-son has AD/HD,ODD,OCD & rides a school bus to & from school with other special need children.(7yrolds to13yrolds) There have been problems on this bus (say's the attendant reports) Like calling each other names, getting out of their seat, bouncing up and down in their seat, or just talking to another student 4seats away, some of which are petty things, some are safety issues (getting out of seat while bus is moving), but it seems my grandson is the one who is getting wrote up, not the other child/children who are involved . Some of these kids ride this bus 7-10miles 1way to school, due to lack of Special Needs School/Education Teachers.
Question:
My son was constantly getting suspended ... I told the principal I was going to be asking about if this was legal he told me that my son threatened a substitute... I know my son is no angel but they bring it on by segregating these kids that are in a special needs class. They are not allowed with other students in pe. My son also has an IEP and add / adhd /odd.
Question:
He has dyslexia and spelling dyspraxia. He has been on an IEP since 7th grade. He has been extremely successful in high school and his only special ed classes this year are for lang. arts and a study period. He would like to attend college and we have done extensive research on colleges that will offer support services (which he would have to apply for). This year he is due to have his full battery of tests, but on the annual WIATT, he scored well and now they feel he doesn't need his IEP. Our concern is that without the support he receives his senior year he could be dramatically affected along with the assistance of his IEP documentation for college services, when applying for college.
Here is the unedited text of his question:
If a high school i am attending is clarly messing up my credits in orderfor e to graduate what are my rights? I have been going to western heights in oklahoma since 2007..and they keep telling me i have thive me the help i need the same credits when i workhard to do what i need to.they keep switching me in and out and wont give me help i deserve
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