IEP Has Not Been Implemented Yet

[Anonymous]

Hi OP-I know exactly how you feel - been there and dealing with DCPS will make you want to scream and pass out a few times a day.

These attorneys have a history for handling such matters and WINNING- they can switly get you a private placement and DCPS will settle out of court when hearing the name of CAROLYN HOUCK- she's has like a 2000 win 5 loss track record. Here's her info 301-951-4278
another attorney that's pretty good is Kim Glassman 301-651-2578
IT IS FREE USE THESE ATTORNEYS- DCPS will pay for them in the settlement and your child will get a private placement. CALL THEM TODAY!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP-I know exactly how you feel - been there and dealing with DCPS will make you want to scream and pass out a few times a day.

These attorneys have a history for handling such matters and WINNING- they can switly get you a private placement and DCPS will settle out of court when hearing the name of CAROLYN HOUCK- she's has like a 2000 win 5 loss track record. Here's her info 301-951-4278
another attorney that's pretty good is Kim Glassman 301-651-2578
IT IS FREE USE THESE ATTORNEYS- DCPS will pay for them in the settlement and your child will get a private placement. CALL THEM TODAY!

Great info - thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[I see that I have rambled. Take what you can use, and good luck.]

It's reckless to take any more action without an attorney, because you could hurt your eventual case.

There are only a handful of attorneys who truly specialize in special ed in D.C., though many dabble. Of those who specialize, some work at no cost to the client; they collect their fees from the government when they win (but see below). I'm not sure about the non-profits; you should ask about the individual attorney's experience.

I would recommend all of the following, alphabetically:
Margie Cohen (sp?)
Michael Eig
Domiento Hill
Zachary Nahass
Douglas Tyrka

Hill and Nahass work for Brown & Associates; the others have their own firms. I believe that Cohen and Eig only take fully paying clients. I know the other three personally, and all three are great.

The article about Tyrka is complete BS, part of DCPS' attack on parent attorneys started a few years ago. DCPS decided it was more efficient to stop paying attorneys who represent poor kids and to sue those same attorneys than it was to provide services.

They ruined some firms economically while frivolously suing some attorneys and maligning all of them. And BTW, in the case mentioned in the Examiner article, the accusing attorney was later ordered by the federal judge to stop filing documents. (The very conservative and notoriously anti-parent attorney Examiner didn't cover that.)

The tide is gradually turning back, but DCPS has pushed things much further toward a situation in which only rich kids with special needs get educations.

Wow, thanks for all of this information

[Anonymous]

Dealing with DCPS regarding our LD kid was a long, infuriating, truly disgusting ordeal. Shame on DCPS and the players who don't give a damn about these kids. Very eye opening.

[Anonymous]

you have the right to look for other options besides Drew ES. I was able to turn down a school and pick the school I wanted for my child. DC now attends a private school. I was lucky and didn' t have to hire a lawyer. I hope everything works out for you and you DC.

[Anonymous]

Since this thread has been revived -- OP, what ended up happening with your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you have the right to look for other options besides Drew ES. I was able to turn down a school and pick the school I wanted for my child. DC now attends a private school. I was lucky and didn' t have to hire a lawyer. I hope everything works out for you and you DC.

OP here. Really? Please share how you were able to accomplish that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since this thread has been revived -- OP, what ended up happening with your child?

OP here.

Since this thread, it's been a rollercoaster. I'll try to sum it up in a timeline:

5/1/11 - Son started at Beers ES - neighborhood school
Summer '11 - Son attended ESY at Walker Jones for 4 weeks. then received compensatory ed in the form of ABA therapy for 4 weeks at home
August '11 - December '11 - Attended Tyler ES
October '11 - IEP Meeting to discuss appropriate classroom placement and inclusion options - 300 min/month of inclusion time added to IEP
December '11 - Son was bullied in classroom. Husband and I removed him immediately. Called meeting to discuss matters. School officials made light of the issue - said that "kids just rough-house each other"
December '11 - Had son reevaluated. Independent psych eval done. ASD ruled out. Psychologist recommended gen ed with dedicated aide
Jan '12 - IEP meeting. DCPS proposed Developmental Delay classification instead of ASD. Husband and I refused, and retained lawyers thereafter.
May'12 - IEP meeting. DCPS is still under the belief that son would benefit most from an Autism classroom, even though he does not fit the classification. Offered to have psychologists at Early Stages reevaluate him to rule out Autism. Husband and I accepted the offer. As a result of reevaluation, psychologist rules out autism, and agrees that son should be in an inclusion setting full-time with behavioral supports. IEP meeting to be scheduled before end of school year.

[Anonymous]

Dear OP,

I am sorry for what you and your family ave dealt with. You ate not alone. We have been on the long, frustrating, despicable ride for quite sometime now, just so our child old get a "fair" education. We are still fighting for justice. Too bad it comes at such an enormous cost of time to our child, not to mention the stress, time and financial burden. Best to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP,

I am sorry for what you and your family ave dealt with. You ate not alone. We have been on the long, frustrating, despicable ride for quite sometime now, just so our child old get a "fair" education. We are still fighting for justice. Too bad it comes at such an enormous cost of time to our child, not to mention the stress, time and financial burden. Best to you.

Thank you. This process has been exhausting. We have an IEP Meeting this Monday, and I am praying for a good outcome.