Ensuring Your Child Is Given an Individualized Education Program
Trusted Nashville education law attorney protects your child’s rights in the classroom
Every public school student in Tennessee with special needs is required, by federal law, to have an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. The IEP is the framework around which a student can learn: it outlines what the specific needs and disabilities are, and how the school will accommodate those needs. But the IEP is also a legal document, and failure to follow it is illegal.
At the Law Office of Perry A. Craft, PLLC, we know that your child is the most important person in the world to you, and that you want him or her to have every chance at success possible. We also know that Nashville public school teachers, no matter how deep their commitment, are sometimes not given the proper tools or instruction, or may not have the requisite knowledge and experience, to ensure that your child’s IEP is followed through. When your child is not given the tools and resources he or she needs to learn, you can trust in us to protect that child’s rights.
The importance of an IEP
When it comes to special needs students, the IEP is perhaps the most important document there is. It is created not only by teachers and professionals, but also with parents who know their children best. The federal government has a long list of requirements for IEPs, which every school must follow. In short, those requirements include:
- What your child’s present level of performance is
- Yearly educational goals for your child
- How those goals will be measured by teachers, administrators, and counselors
- Support services, modifications and accommodations – through a Section 504 Plan or not – that the school will make or provide to assist your child in reaching those annual goals
- Any accommodations or dispensations your child will be given for standardized tests
- Transitioning plans in case the child needs to move to another school
- Transitioning plans for teens who are almost ready to leave school, so they can prepare for their lives post-high school
Fighting on behalf of special needs students
Under the law, any child who exhibits signs of having special needs deserves a chance to be tested, and Tennessee’s public school teachers and administrators must broach the subject of testing if they deem it necessary. Furthermore, parents may request testing for their children. If a child is eligible for assistance, an IEP must be created. If the school fails to test your child, fails to create an IEP, or fails to follow through on that IEP, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the school board or district on behalf of your child.
Education lawsuits like these are very complex; you want a school law attorney who has the knowledge and resources to build a successful case and the drive to fight aggressively on your behalf. Attorney Craft is one such attorney. For more than 40 years, he has represented people in Nashville whose rights have been infringed upon. Attorney Craft can serve as your child’s advocate in IEP, Section 504, or due process meetings, and can build a proactive and competent strategy should you choose to pursue a civil lawsuit. Let us help you help your child’s future by fighting for your child’s right to an education.
Learn more about your options of your child’s IEP is not being followed
Public school students with special needs should be given access to the tools and resources they require for success. At the Law Office of Perry A. Craft, PLLC in Nashville, we ensure that they are. If you are a parent fighting on behalf of your child, or a teacher fighting on behalf of your students, we want to hear your story. Please call 615-953-3808 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.