Due Process MCPS - Attorney recommendations

[Anonymous]

Would like recommendations for attorneys expert in working with, or fighting against, MCPS. Issue is surrounding MCPS not meeting my DS' educational needs inspite of his already robust IEP. MCPS special ed sucks....Im exhausted and done.

thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

Mark Martin in Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

Brian Gruber

[Anonymous]

Thank you PPs. Truly appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

another recommendation for Brian Gruber

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear this OP - we are just starting down this road with MCPS and I am already frustrated and scared. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear this OP - we are just starting down this road with MCPS and I am already frustrated and scared. Good luck to you.

Thanks PP. Good luck to you as well. Don't be scared - you'll lose if they smell fear. Just hire the best bad-ass attorney you can find and go for the jugular. And don't feel guilty either. You're paying taxes INTO the public school system, and therefore should have a say on how your child is educated.

MoCo spends between $15K-$16K per student. I can tell you for absolute certain that my DS is not getting a $16K education. He is being shoved into classes better knows as the "island of misfit toys". He struggles with ADHD and has a significant working memory deficit. He is being placed in classes with children who are barely survivng themselves! How does that help? these teachers are not equipped to educate children with significant learning differences. Period - the end.

I am done spending thousands upon thousands on specialized tutoring because he is not learning during the day so we have to supplement after school. My DS deserves a break after school. His brain is exausted by the time 3pm roles around. He deserves to be understood by others. He deserves to LEARN!!! I am done pulling my hair out trying to help my son understand his homework. I am done with this new math bullshit that not even the teachers know how to do! And i am REALLY done with him bringing home "fake A's" on his report card. Yeah it makes my DS feel good but its all a ruse, and his standarized tests prove that. If I dont get him the real help he needs now, he will never spend one day at any university. That saddens me and terrifies me.

Ok, off my soap box. thanks for listening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear this OP - we are just starting down this road with MCPS and I am already frustrated and scared. Good luck to you.

Thanks PP. Good luck to you as well. Don't be scared - you'll lose if they smell fear. Just hire the best bad-ass attorney you can find and go for the jugular. And don't feel guilty either. You're paying taxes INTO the public school system, and therefore should have a say on how your child is educated.

MoCo spends between $15K-$16K per student. I can tell you for absolute certain that my DS is not getting a $16K education. He is being shoved into classes better knows as the "island of misfit toys". He struggles with ADHD and has a significant working memory deficit. He is being placed in classes with children who are barely survivng themselves! How does that help? these teachers are not equipped to educate children with significant learning differences. Period - the end.

I am done spending thousands upon thousands on specialized tutoring because he is not learning during the day so we have to supplement after school. My DS deserves a break after school. His brain is exausted by the time 3pm roles around. He deserves to be understood by others. He deserves to LEARN!!! I am done pulling my hair out trying to help my son understand his homework. I am done with this new math bullshit that not even the teachers know how to do! And i am REALLY done with him bringing home "fake A's" on his report card. Yeah it makes my DS feel good but its all a ruse, and his standarized tests prove that. If I dont get him the real help he needs now, he will never spend one day at any university. That saddens me and terrifies me.

Ok, off my soap box. thanks for listening.

This is PP - thanks for your response. I can relate to so much of what you are saying! They've given me so much extra stuff to do at home with DD because she is slow to learn at school (first grade). But by the end of the day she is too tired to really focus on it and gets frustrated and calls herself stupid. I have no idea of the process of evaluation and no one at school has really explained it to me - so DD has no special services as yet. They called a meeting with the teacher, psychologist and special ed teachers - so I'm going to that. But they said the purpose is to discuss our concerns. I still don't feel like I have any idea of the plan forward. I'm already ready to pull her out of there and go private - but I hear that private schools have less resources for special needs. (Not that I can afford private but I'm feeling desperate). I have no idea what is going on with DD - and that is what scares me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear this OP - we are just starting down this road with MCPS and I am already frustrated and scared. Good luck to you.

Many of us had/have great experiences in MCPS. Good luck PP and OP.

[Anonymous]

Michael Eig

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear this OP - we are just starting down this road with MCPS and I am already frustrated and scared. Good luck to you.

Thanks PP. Good luck to you as well. Don't be scared - you'll lose if they smell fear. Just hire the best bad-ass attorney you can find and go for the jugular. And don't feel guilty either. You're paying taxes INTO the public school system, and therefore should have a say on how your child is educated.

MoCo spends between $15K-$16K per student. I can tell you for absolute certain that my DS is not getting a $16K education. He is being shoved into classes better knows as the "island of misfit toys". He struggles with ADHD and has a significant working memory deficit. He is being placed in classes with children who are barely survivng themselves! How does that help? these teachers are not equipped to educate children with significant learning differences. Period - the end.

I am done spending thousands upon thousands on specialized tutoring because he is not learning during the day so we have to supplement after school. My DS deserves a break after school. His brain is exausted by the time 3pm roles around. He deserves to be understood by others. He deserves to LEARN!!! I am done pulling my hair out trying to help my son understand his homework. I am done with this new math bullshit that not even the teachers know how to do! And i am REALLY done with him bringing home "fake A's" on his report card. Yeah it makes my DS feel good but its all a ruse, and his standarized tests prove that. If I dont get him the real help he needs now, he will never spend one day at any university. That saddens me and terrifies me.

Ok, off my soap box. thanks for listening.

This is PP - thanks for your response. I can relate to so much of what you are saying! They've given me so much extra stuff to do at home with DD because she is slow to learn at school (first grade). But by the end of the day she is too tired to really focus on it and gets frustrated and calls herself stupid. I have no idea of the process of evaluation and no one at school has really explained it to me - so DD has no special services as yet. They called a meeting with the teacher, psychologist and special ed teachers - so I'm going to that. But they said the purpose is to discuss our concerns. I still don't feel like I have any idea of the plan forward. I'm already ready to pull her out of there and go private - but I hear that private schools have less resources for special needs. (Not that I can afford private but I'm feeling desperate). I have no idea what is going on with DD - and that is what scares me.

OP here. PP, You need to get a private evaluation for your DD. Do not rely on the school's evaluation as they will try to prove that there is not enough "wrong" with your DD to warrant services or an IEP or 504. That is the first step for sure. Then go in with that eval in your hands, and if the private psych recommends services you will get them. If not hire an attorney.

With regards to private - if your DD has anything beyond just a "mild" LD then regular private will be a tough go - and most likely she would not be accepted anyhow. But you will not anything about your DD's learning style until you get a private evaluation. Its expensive, just warning you. But its worth it. So, Step 1 - Private Evaluation which should include in-school observation by the psych. They should observe her while she is in school - during class and at recess. Step 2 - if the findings indicate LDs, call for a meeting with the school administration and special ed team and get the ball rolling with instituting and IEP or at the very least a 504.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Michael Eig

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear this OP - we are just starting down this road with MCPS and I am already frustrated and scared. Good luck to you.

Thanks PP. Good luck to you as well. Don't be scared - you'll lose if they smell fear. Just hire the best bad-ass attorney you can find and go for the jugular. And don't feel guilty either. You're paying taxes INTO the public school system, and therefore should have a say on how your child is educated.

MoCo spends between $15K-$16K per student. I can tell you for absolute certain that my DS is not getting a $16K education. He is being shoved into classes better knows as the "island of misfit toys". He struggles with ADHD and has a significant working memory deficit. He is being placed in classes with children who are barely survivng themselves! How does that help? these teachers are not equipped to educate children with significant learning differences. Period - the end.

I am done spending thousands upon thousands on specialized tutoring because he is not learning during the day so we have to supplement after school. My DS deserves a break after school. His brain is exausted by the time 3pm roles around. He deserves to be understood by others. He deserves to LEARN!!! I am done pulling my hair out trying to help my son understand his homework. I am done with this new math bullshit that not even the teachers know how to do! And i am REALLY done with him bringing home "fake A's" on his report card. Yeah it makes my DS feel good but its all a ruse, and his standarized tests prove that. If I dont get him the real help he needs now, he will never spend one day at any university. That saddens me and terrifies me.

Ok, off my soap box. thanks for listening.

This is PP - thanks for your response. I can relate to so much of what you are saying! They've given me so much extra stuff to do at home with DD because she is slow to learn at school (first grade). But by the end of the day she is too tired to really focus on it and gets frustrated and calls herself stupid. I have no idea of the process of evaluation and no one at school has really explained it to me - so DD has no special services as yet. They called a meeting with the teacher, psychologist and special ed teachers - so I'm going to that. But they said the purpose is to discuss our concerns. I still don't feel like I have any idea of the plan forward. I'm already ready to pull her out of there and go private - but I hear that private schools have less resources for special needs. (Not that I can afford private but I'm feeling desperate). I have no idea what is going on with DD - and that is what scares me.

OP here. PP, You need to get a private evaluation for your DD. Do not rely on the school's evaluation as they will try to prove that there is not enough "wrong" with your DD to warrant services or an IEP or 504. That is the first step for sure. Then go in with that eval in your hands, and if the private psych recommends services you will get them. If not hire an attorney.

With regards to private - if your DD has anything beyond just a "mild" LD then regular private will be a tough go - and most likely she would not be accepted anyhow. But you will not anything about your DD's learning style until you get a private evaluation. Its expensive, just warning you. But its worth it. So, Step 1 - Private Evaluation which should include in-school observation by the psych. They should observe her while she is in school - during class and at recess. Step 2 - if the findings indicate LDs, call for a meeting with the school administration and special ed team and get the ball rolling with instituting and IEP or at the very least a 504.

Good Luck!

Thanks so much. I think this is great advice. Where do I go for such an evaluation? Too bad we just bought airline tickets for spring break. Probably should've used that money for evaluation! Oh well!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear this OP - we are just starting down this road with MCPS and I am already frustrated and scared. Good luck to you.

Thanks PP. Good luck to you as well. Don't be scared - you'll lose if they smell fear. Just hire the best bad-ass attorney you can find and go for the jugular. And don't feel guilty either. You're paying taxes INTO the public school system, and therefore should have a say on how your child is educated.

MoCo spends between $15K-$16K per student. I can tell you for absolute certain that my DS is not getting a $16K education. He is being shoved into classes better knows as the "island of misfit toys". He struggles with ADHD and has a significant working memory deficit. He is being placed in classes with children who are barely survivng themselves! How does that help? these teachers are not equipped to educate children with significant learning differences. Period - the end.

I am done spending thousands upon thousands on specialized tutoring because he is not learning during the day so we have to supplement after school. My DS deserves a break after school. His brain is exausted by the time 3pm roles around. He deserves to be understood by others. He deserves to LEARN!!! I am done pulling my hair out trying to help my son understand his homework. I am done with this new math bullshit that not even the teachers know how to do! And i am REALLY done with him bringing home "fake A's" on his report card. Yeah it makes my DS feel good but its all a ruse, and his standarized tests prove that. If I dont get him the real help he needs now, he will never spend one day at any university. That saddens me and terrifies me.

Ok, off my soap box. thanks for listening.

This is PP - thanks for your response. I can relate to so much of what you are saying! They've given me so much extra stuff to do at home with DD because she is slow to learn at school (first grade). But by the end of the day she is too tired to really focus on it and gets frustrated and calls herself stupid. I have no idea of the process of evaluation and no one at school has really explained it to me - so DD has no special services as yet. They called a meeting with the teacher, psychologist and special ed teachers - so I'm going to that. But they said the purpose is to discuss our concerns. I still don't feel like I have any idea of the plan forward. I'm already ready to pull her out of there and go private - but I hear that private schools have less resources for special needs. (Not that I can afford private but I'm feeling desperate). I have no idea what is going on with DD - and that is what scares me.

OP here. PP, You need to get a private evaluation for your DD. Do not rely on the school's evaluation as they will try to prove that there is not enough "wrong" with your DD to warrant services or an IEP or 504. That is the first step for sure. Then go in with that eval in your hands, and if the private psych recommends services you will get them. If not hire an attorney.

With regards to private - if your DD has anything beyond just a "mild" LD then regular private will be a tough go - and most likely she would not be accepted anyhow. But you will not anything about your DD's learning style until you get a private evaluation. Its expensive, just warning you. But its worth it. So, Step 1 - Private Evaluation which should include in-school observation by the psych. They should observe her while she is in school - during class and at recess. Step 2 - if the findings indicate LDs, call for a meeting with the school administration and special ed team and get the ball rolling with instituting and IEP or at the very least a 504.

Good Luck!

Thanks so much. I think this is great advice. Where do I go for such an evaluation? Too bad we just bought airline tickets for spring break. Probably should've used that money for evaluation! Oh well!!

There are a lot of qualified doctors out there. Where do you live or does that matter to you? Also, be prepared to be put on a waitlist as the best doctors all have long wait lists. Even the crappy ones have a waitlist!

If you do a full neuro-psych (educational + social-emotional) then it will run anywhere from $3K-$5K.

[Anonymous]

Brian Gruber or Michael Eig. I have used both. I think I would preference Eig. Although I know other people who have had success with Gruber. Gruber will charge $$ to evaluate your case. Eig does not, i.e. he will listen to your case for free and then decide if (you have a case and) he wants to take you as a client. So, no harm shopping around. I also thought the woman, Paula, at Eig's practice was also good (and perhaps she charges less than Eig?)