Parents may sue school without lawyer

May 24, 2007

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that parents have a right to sue

school districts regarding individualized education programs (IEPs) for their

children and can appear in court on their own to argue those cases. Lower

courts had ruled that the child must appear through an attorney and that the

parents had no right to sue or appear in court in these cases on their own

behalf. The Supreme Court ruled that parents have an independent enforceable

right to a free appropriate education for their children.

The Supreme Court decision (Winkleman v. Parma City School District) can be

Note: If you need to sue the school district, I think you would probably be

better off with a lawyer if you can afford one. But this opinion gives parents

who cannot afford a lawyer to at least have the opportunity to go to court.

- Schwartz in Ventura, California

May 24, 2007

,

Thanks for the update on legal matters. It's really helpful for all of us.

Parents may sue school without lawyer

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that parents have a right to sue

school districts regarding individualized education programs (IEPs) for their

children and can appear in court on their own to argue those cases. Lower courts

had ruled that the child must appear through an attorney and that the parents

had no right to sue or appear in court in these cases on their own behalf. The

Supreme Court ruled that parents have an independent enforceable right to a free

appropriate education for their children.

The Supreme Court decision (Winkleman v. Parma City School District) can be

Note: If you need to sue the school district, I think you would probably be

better off with a lawyer if you can afford one. But this opinion gives parents

who cannot afford a lawyer to at least have the opportunity to go to court.

- Schwartz in Ventura, California

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