JD Special Ed Law & Advocacy Strategies

[Guest guest]

You receive this email newsletter by request.

To be removed, click the link at the bottom of the page

View this newsletter online at: reedmartin.com/specialedonlinenewsletter50.htm

A weekly newsletter from

s Media, LLC

REED MARTIN, J.D.

SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW & ADVOCACY STRATEGIES

Your Special Education Resource Center

http://www.reedmartin.com

February 9, 2004

Attention: If you hit the spam button instead of the delete button you will be removed from the list permanently. You have to send confirmation that you made a mistake for the system to allow your email to be reinstated

NCLB & Charter Schools

Starting this fall, parents who have a child in a school that has been identified as needing improvement will have the opportunity to send their child to a new school.

Under NCLB, children who attend school identified as needing improvement have the opportunity to enroll in Charter Schools located in their district.

The districts will be required to use federal funding to provide meaningful choices as well as to provide transportation to the new school families choose.

http://www.schoolresults.org

School Information Project: Display Date Required to be Publicly Reported under No Child Left Behind

SchoolResults.org

The School Information Partnership is a public-private collaboration designed to empower parents, educators and policymakers to use the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) data to make informed decisions and improve school results. Standard & Poor's created the website which includes a suite of interactive analytical tools from Standard & Poor's School Evaluation Services and the National Center for Educational Accountability's Just for the Kids. For schools, districts and states across the nation, the website will display available data required to be publicly reported under NCLB. This initiative is funded by The Broad Foundation and U.S. Department of Education

standandsandpoors.com

Tools for Comparing and Improving Schools

View academic, financial, and socioeconomic indicators, benchmark comparisons and trends

Read S & P’s written reports on your district’s strengths and challenges http://www.standardsandpoor.com

VIDEO WEBCAST from US Dept of Ed

http://www.connectlive.com/events/deptedu/

Originally broadcast live on February 2, 2004SECRETARY PAIGE TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT'S 2005 EDUCATION BUDGET

View with RealPlayer 28kbps (modem speed) View with RealPlayer 150kbps (network speed) View with Captioning

Originally broadcast live on December 9, 2003SECRETARY PAIGE TO ANNOUNCE NEW NO CHILD LEFT BEHINDPROVISION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES View with RealPlayer 28kbps (modem speed)View with RealPlayer 150kbps (network speed)View with Captioning

Put It In Writing

And Get It In Writing

If you only learn one this from our website, manuals and trainings, you should have learned to communicate in writing!

This is actually the Advocacy Tip of the year. If you have learned nothing else from this website or our manuals, you should have learned that you need to make sure your communications with your school and your state education agency are in writing.

This writer is often told by school persons "you are a lawyer and you want it in writing so you can sue." Wrong. In more than 35 years experience with school districts it is the lack of written documentation that leads to lawsuits. Written documentation usually leads toward compliance with the law.

View the complete article:

http://www.reedmartin.com/getitinwriting.htm

Free Crime Prevention Coloring Book

McGruff Color Book

http://www.ocjp.ca.gov/publications/Mcgclr_e.pdf

Spanish Mc Gruff Color Book

GovBenefits.gov

The official government benefits website. This is a FREE, confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.http://www.govbenefits.gov

LINK TO US

http://www.reedmartin.com/linktous.htm

just4kids.org

FocusSchool DataWe analyze state test data to identify how well individual schools are performing.

Best PracticesWe study the highest-performing schools to find out what works.

Training & TutorialsOur tools and instruction help others replicate educational best practice.

http://www.just4kids.org

Web Specials

Must be ordered online

ASK REED (Volume Two) Price $15.00 SPECIAL WEB

Getting Your Regular Education Teacher To Do What The Law RequiresPrice $10.00 WEB SPECIAL

Section 504 ManualPrice $25.00 WEB SPECIAL

Transition Services Required by Law

Price $10.00 WEB SPECIAL

Getting Control of the IEP ProcessPrice $35.00 WEB SPECIAL

www.reedmartin.com/webspecials.htm

CONTACT

s Media, LLCP. O. Box 4003town WV 26504-4003

(P)

(F)

Email: connie@...URL: www.reedmartin.com

New Case Analysis by

ton Comm. Consolidated Sch. Dist. V. M.

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

How much does a parent have to "win" to receive attorneys' fees

This Federal Circuit Court of Appeals case, decided February 2, 2004, deals with how much does a parent have to “win” to entitle them to receive attorneys’ fees as a prevailing party.

A youngster with Downs Syndrome was in 3rd grade, in a regular classroom but receiving 400 minutes per week of special education services including 150 minutes of speech and language, 30 minutes of direct OT and 60 minutes of PT. He also had a full time teacher’s aide.

The school changed the IEP from direct OT to “consultative” and direct PT to one-half direct and one-half consultative.

The parents objected and paid for an evaluation. The parents asked for reimbursement for their $800 independent evaluation and the school district requested a Hearing to refuse to pay.

View the complete article: http://www.reedmartin.com/parentattorneyfees.htm

How Much Did Your State Send Back to The Federal Government as Used Funds?

UP-COMING PENNSYLVANIA WORKSHOPS

Rescheduled Due to Inclement Weather

Reading and burg, PA

No Child With A Disability Left Behind Workshop

Using Federal Laws To Help Students with Disabilities

$55 Early Registration

April 1- Reading, PA

April 2 burg, PA

No Child With A Disability Left Behind Manual

Manual

$19.95

Also Available:

Resource Disk & Video CD

No Child With A Disability Left Behind

How To Make Your School Accountable To Your Child

REED MARTIN, J.D.

http://www.reedmartin.com/nochildleftbehindmanual.htm

Competition Open to Select Organization to Run First Federally Funded Opportunity Scholarship ProgramSecretary of Education, D.C. Mayor Sign Memorandum of Understanding on D.C. School Choice Incentive Program

http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2004/02/02042004.html

OPEN! POWER Membership (Parents Organizing to Win Educational Rights)

We are expanding our membership benefits to include an exclusive membership web community with message board, chat room, parent corner, member highlights, member stories, STRATEGIES newsletter and more!

Only $25 a Year (7 cents a day)

Includes: LRE Text Workshop Session I ; No Child Left Behind Mini Audio Workshop; IEP Report Video Workshop; Being an Advocate Audio Workshop; Getting Your Child with Autism/Asperger's an Independent Evaluation; Special Chat Sessions; Message Board and more

What members are saying: I am a member of the new POWER site and love it. It is new but some awesome stuff.

I love the power site. There are many audio workshops

I just got on to the power site and it is very helpful. Well worth the dinero. The message board on the Power site has very experienced parents who have been through tons of advocacy issues. To me it is the natural progression of true understanding of the laws, disabilities and methodologies.

I believe the POWER site has excellent information and advocacy tips that for $25 a year is a bargain

I feel more comfortable posting there. I don't have to worry as much about some of the detail. Connie has a *groovy* layout and has recently added more information. The quantity of posts are lower than here just because it is new and growing. But the QUALITY of posts are better because you can give more detail. I certainly recommend the site.

Sign up here: http://www.reedmartin.com/powermembership.htm

Low Income Home Energy Assistance ProgramDivision of Energy Assistance/OCS/ACF

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY YOUR HOME ENERGY BILL, YOUR HOME MAY NOT BE SAFE, AND YOU MAY BE AT RISK OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY.

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap/brochure.htm

THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) MAY BE ABLE TO HELP KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE AND HEALTHY.

Energy assistance is important to all that receive it, but more so if someone in your home is elderly, disabled or a young child under 6 years old. These persons are especially at risk for life threatening illness or death if their home is too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer.

You can face safety risks if you are unable to pay your home energy bills. Some people resort to unsafe methods to keep their homes warm or cool. These include the use of fireplaces, stoves, improperly vented portable heaters, barbecue grills, or overloading electrical circuits. These methods are not only fire hazards, but also create the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR HELP WITH HOME HEATING AND/OR COOLING BILLS.

WHAT IS LIHEAP?

LIHEAP is a Federally-funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills.LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of health and safety problems (such as illness, fire, or eviction).The federal government does not provide energy assistance directly to the public. Instead, LIHEAP operates in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and the U.S. territories.WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE LIHEAP ASSISTANCE?

The LIHEAP program in your community determines if your household's income qualifies for the program. The LIHEAP program may also require households to meet additional eligibility criteria to receive LIHEAP assistance.**NOTE: The availability of LIHEAP assistance is not guaranteed. Often most of the Federal LIHEAP funds are spent during the winter.WHAT ASSISTANCE DOES LIHEAP PROVIDE?

Your LIHEAP program may be able to offer you one or more of the following types of assistance:Bill payment assistance. Energy crisis assistance.Weatherization and energy-related home repairs.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO APPLY? YOU MAY NEED THE FOLLOWING:

Recent copies of your utility bills.A recent payroll stub or other proof that shows your current gross income.Documentation showing income from Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, disability, etc.Final Utility Termination Notice (if you've received a shut-off notice from your energy company).Proof of present address (e.g., rent receipt, lease or deed, property tax bill).Proof of total members living in your household (e.g., birth certificates, school records, etc.).Social Security cards (or numbers) for all persons living in your household.Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIHEAP AND WHERE TO APPLY

You can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project. NEAR is afree service providing information on where your can apply for LIHEAP. You can speak to someone at NEAR Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. (Mountain Time). Call the toll-free phone number at: 1- or send an e-mail to: energyassistance@...or you can contact your State's LIHEAP office at:www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/states.htmThis brochure is presented by: U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration for Children and Families Office of Community Services Division of Energy Assistance November 2002

..

The Gift Of Giving Book Drive

The Gift Of Giving Book Drive is collecting all books and curriculum materials on all subjects and for all grade levels for our Gift Of Giving Educational Program that will provide books and curriculum materials for economically disavantage families residing in inner cities and rural areas.You can support in our program by send in our old and used books to help supports families who are economically disadvantage and teaching and/or training their children at home. Send your BOOK DONATIONS to The Gift Of A Helping Hand, 17148 Waltham, Detroit, MI 48205, Attn: P. . Please know all donations are tax-deductible.If you have any additional questions e-mail us at tgoahh@...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!!!

If your organization has an event or drive, let us know and I will be happy to help you promote! connie@...

The information in this email and website is educational and not intended to be legal advice

s Media, LLC

P. O. Box 4003town WV 26504-4003

(P) (F)

connie@... www.reedmartin.com

www.specialedadvocate.com www.educationaltools4kids.com

www.powermember.net

© 2004.s Media, LLC All Rights Reserved.

To unsubscribe/change profile:click here

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com