News and Events 2006 / 2007
Read about important special education news, ACE actions and events, and our continuing education and advocacy training.
Brenda provides training on Special Education Advocacy Basics at LA County Housing Authority | October 2007
Brenda, Linda and Lori participate in two day in-service training where RTI and the effectiveness of different reading interventions are the topic of study | July 2007
Our annual retreat/in-service training was intense and well worth the effort. We got away to the Northern California Coast and focused on special education.
Professional Development: Lindamood Bell Training in London, England | April 2007
Brenda and Lori attended the first International Lindamood Bell Conference. We attended two days of research presentations on Dyslexia, and Reading and Learning Disabilities. We also visited the first Lindamood Bell Center in London.
CA Due Process Decision Awards Parents IEE Because School Assessment Did Not Follow Protocol | March 2007
Administrative Law Judge GLYNDA B. GOMEZ found that school district's Occupational Therapy Assessment was not appropriate and student is entitled to an Independent Educational Evaluation for Occupational Therapy at Public expense. Parents and advocates should read this decision and learn about the requirements of assessments. Click Here to Download Decision!
Are you having trouble getting transition services for your special education student in California?| Meeting April 11, 2007
Posted by: "specialeducationiep" asearchers@yahoo.com specialeducationiep Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:02 pm (PST) Disabled High School Students Sue Over Lack of `Transition' Services By TINA BAY, Staff Writer
"...Along with the students, the California Association for Parent-Child Advocacy, a group of parents and advocates of students with disabilities, is also a plaintiff in the case. Speaking for the group, Maureen Graves remarked:
'California is and has been wholly deficient in providing transition services to youths with disabilities. This will pose problems for years to come as these children grow up and struggle to find supportive services, get jobs, or pursue higher education.'
According to Parks, the numbers of those qualifying for transition services reach hundreds within MUSD and thousands statewide. She pointed out:
'[T]he reason we have named the California Department of Education in the lawsuit is that we think that what's going on win the Montebello School District is representative of what is happening on a statewide level. It's ultimately the Department of Education's responsibility to make sure everyone is doing their job.'
A department spokesperson said the agency has not yet been served with the complaint, but commented that "Superintendent [of Public Instruction Jack] O' Connell is very concerned that all students, especially students with disabilities, receive the education services that they need and are entitled to.'
long with the DLRC, the Learning Rights Law Center, the Legal Aid Society of San Francisco-Employment Law Center and Latham & Watkins are representing the plaintiffs. The case is B.L. v. California Department of Education, CV 06-07630."Contact Us
If you are a Southern California resident and wish to open a file with our office, please call the central intake line directly at (213) 736-1334 (voice) or (213) 736-8310 (TDD).
You may also contact us via our nationwide toll free number at 1 (866) 999-DRLC (3752). Please note the Disability Rights Legal Center will not provide legal advice via email.We look forward to hearing from you and are eager to be of assistance.
By Mail :Disability Rights Legal Center 919 Albany Street Los Angeles, CA 90015
By Phone :Cancer Legal Resource Center: (213) 736-1455 or (866) THE-CLRC (843-2572) Civil Rights Litigation Project: (213) 736-1031 Disability Mediation Center: (213) 736-8104 Community Outreach: (213) 736-8365
Education Advocacy Project: (213) 736-8366 By TTY : (213) 736-8310 By FAX : (213) 736-1428
By Email : DRLC@lls.edu
Meeting
Meeting Date & Place
April 11, 2007, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. *** Spanish Interpreter will be provided***
Riverside: Community Access Center
6848 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 150
Riverside, CA 92506
(951) 274-0358
ACE Exhibitors Providing Outreach at San Diego Regional Center IEP Day| March 31, 2007
| ACE advocates Brenda, Lori and volunteer Christine were part of a great group of exhibitors providing information to parents of developmentally disabled children in San Diego. | |
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Irvine Unified School District In the News, Parents Suffer | November 2006
A member of our network saved this article from the Orange County Register and gave it to ACE to disseminate this information to parents. Click here to read the article explaining how parents of a son with autism were coerced into giving IUSD staff and teachers gifts in order to get their son a Free and Appropriate Public Education.
Executive Director, Brenda Rogers, featured in Working Mother Magazine | December 2006
We are pleased to announce our executive Director will appear in this December's issue of Working Mother Magazine. Pick up your copy this December in stores near you.
Free IEP Game Training Coming in October. We are hosting an IEP Game Training session on October 21, 2006 at the Anaheim ARC. We can accommodate the child care for ten parents at a small fee. | 10/21/2006
Please visit their web page to check out our location during the training ARC WEBPAGE. Contact ACE to sign up training. Child Care Spots Go Fast! Call Early 949 370 1186 for reservations (a small child care deposit will be necessary to reserve your spot).
We have moved. We will have two locations where an advocate can meet with you: Orange County and Riverside County. Our phone number and email will remain the same. Our new fax number is available upon request. | 8/2006
Assemblywoman Daucher Makes Her Boldest and Most Radical Attack on Parental Enforcement of Children's Special Education Rights In California | 4/13/2006
Maureen Graves, special education attorney and California advocate for special children, has provided an urgent special education alert. She says:
"We face the biggest threat ever to families' access to legal representation and parent/student lawyers' ability to stay in the field of Special Education. Assembly Woman Daucher has introduced a bill to eliminate attorney's fees for mediations, and prohibit parties from insisting on payment of attorney's fees in order to resolve cases at mediation."
As the parent of a special education student without unlimited financial resources, this means that I would not be able to exercise my child's right to due process because I cannot pay for an attorney. This also means that no attorney will be able to take my case with a small retainer and get payment if the case settles in mediation because the California Law will phrohibit my attorney from getting paid if we settle our case. In practice, this forces all special education disputes into due process hearings and discourages settlements before due process hearing.
Due Process Hearings are expensive. Lake and Billingsly (2000) report that these conflicts raise important issues regarding the dynamics involved in creating curriculum for a child within a format that legally determines that family members are equal status decision makers with professional administrators in a public institution and due process cases can last between one week and several months while costing in excess of $25,0000.
How will average parents access adequate legal protections in special education without the option of attorney fees paid by districts upon settlement? Even the federal law cites parents' advocacy for their child as the necessary instrument by which the public school is held accountable for providing the special needs child a free and appropriate public education. If this is the national legislative intent, then how will parents implement effective advocacy if they have no recourse to get an attorney and take a district to due process because of limited income? The only real power parents have in the special education process is Veto Power and the option to take their child's case to a third party (a judge) for a decision.
Ms. Graves also states that "there are a number of troubling bills about special education headed for the floor in Sacramento right now. The legislators in California are unresponsive at this time to the mediation/hearing crisis, and there are indications of possible wavering on the part of allies in the legislature. It is critical that we all mobilize ourselves and everyone we possibly can to write letters, make phone calls, visit legislative offices locally, and come to Sacramento. We really need to branch out in the next month in terms of who is doing legislative activities. Our adversaries emboldened and getting worse on the local level as well as the state level."
CAPCA representatives will be in Sacramento Wednesday, April 19 and Maureen will be there Starting April 25. The more people who can come, and connect with us and meet with legislators, the better.
The best days to come to Sacramento appear to be April 25, April 26, May 3 and May 8. For sample letters, contact Maureen Graves
The proposed Bill is AB 2514 - "Special education/procedural safeguards (Sharon Runner & Lynn Daucher)." This is probably Assemblywoman Daucher's boldest and most radical attack on parental enforcement of children's rights. The bill would amend Section 56507 to provide that: (c) (1) Attorneys' fees shall not be awarded related to any meeting of the individualized education program team established pursuant to Section 56341 unless the meeting is convened as a result of an administrative proceeding or judicial action, nor for a resolution session convened pursuant to Section 56501.5, nor for mediation. (2) A party to a due process hearing shall not refuse to enter into a settlement agreement or condition a settlement offer on the receipt of the reimbursement of attorneys' fees from another party to that hearing.
Importance level: Extreme: sudden polar ice cap melt, meteor hit, terrorist alert, etc.... Passage of this bill would destroy access to attorneys for parents in special education proceedings in California, except for families rich enough to hire lawyers without hope of reimbursement and for those lucky enough to obtain completely pro bono (i.e., not "contingency") representation. The first part, getting rid of attorney's fees for mediations, is unfortunately a permissible state option under federal law. The second part, barring pursuit of fees from being a deal-breaking demand in mediation, is probably preempted by federal law, in that enforcing it would destroy the confidentiality of mediation.
For More Information, contact CAPCA or visit their web site at CAPCAWEB.ORG
OC Joint Powers Alliance Funds Appeal of Parent Won Due Process Case Against Huntington Beach Union High School District | 4/2006
According to Ron Lackey Ed.D., in the case of D.K. vs. Huntington Beach Union High School District, the district has filed an appeal in a due process case lost to parents who represented themselves. The HBUHSD appeal is funded by the Orange County "special ed alliance." The Alliance has pooled funds from 27 school districts & the county office of education in Orange County.
A decision was rendered in the Central District Federal Court in Santa Ana CA on March 20, 2006 on the issue of "Pro Se," parent representing their student under IDEA ruled in favor of parent. ( IDEA allows for Parents Pro Se )
Amazingly, according to Lackey, the school district is taking this decision on to appeal to the 9th Cir Court for decision even though the district was short funds and claiming encroachment of the special education budget upon the general education budget. The appeal has been certified up to the 9th Cir Court.
Do Not Let District's Tell You They Do Not Have Money for Special Education | 4/2006
| Amount of Money Califoria Sent Back to Federal Government in 2005 for Unspent Special Education Funds | |
| California | $1, 680, 554 |
According to Wrightslaw, every state in the nation sent back large amounts of unspent special education money to the federal government last year. At the same time, district's and state officials cry for full federal funding of special education. To read more about this topic, visit Wrightslaw's information page at Wrightslaw.com
Ongoing and Upcoming Training for youth with Autism | 3/2006 and Beyond
The Parent-Child Interaction Program at Cal State Northridge, is currently providing parent training for parents of youngsters with Autism. This training is on Wednesday nights. It consists of 12 modules (meeting from 6-8 on Wednesday nights at the CSUN clinic). The Parent-Child Interaction Training uses Clinical Psychology Masters' students to present modules on Behavioral Management, Quality time, and Alternative methods of engaging youth with autism. Dr. Kazemi and Dr. Shepherd-Look are also constructing a Social Skills Training for youth with NVLD, Asperger Disorder or high functioning Autism.
Dr. Kazemi also serves as a behavioral consultant at the Learning and Behavior Disorders diagnostic center designed to evaluate the needs of youth with academic and behavioral problems. This center also offers numerous sources and recommendations to youth and their families.
Please Visit The Web Page at: lbdisorder.com
Capistrano Unified Sschool District Leadership Under Investigation: Orange County District Attorney Reviewing Evidence of Alleged Illegal Acts | 3/27/06
The following announcement came from the CUSD Recall Team today through an email and is reprinted here for public information:
An investigation into allegations of illegal activities at the Capistrano Unified School District has been commenced. The Orange County District Attorney's office is leading the investigation.
This past summer, residents throughout South Orange County sought to recall the entire school board based upon allegations of corruption and gross fiscal mismanagement. More than 177,000 petition signatures seeking to remove the Trustees from office were delivered to the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
Susan Schroeder, spokesperson for the District Attorney's Office confirmed the District Attorney has assigned a Deputy District Attorney to the case. Schroeder also stated, "We are reviewing the evidence and witness statements."
CUSD is led by Superintendent James A. Fleming, as well as seven elected Trustees (John Casabianca, Marlene Draper, Crystal Kochendorfer, Sheila Benecke, Sheila Henness, Duane Stiff and Mike Darnold).
On December 22, 2005, the Registrar announced it would not certify the recall claiming that not enough valid signatures from registered voters had been turned in. Recall leaders are now questioning that decision.
Thomas Russell, spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee, the organization that led the unprecedented recall campaign, was gratified and hopeful, "We hope that commencement of the District Attorney's investigation brings us one step closer to restoring honesty, integrity and accountability into our public school system." Russell continued, "The recall campaign uncovered compelling evidence of corruption at CUSD. As a result, many citizens called upon law enforcement authorities to commence a full and complete investigation. We believe those CUSD officials that have misled our community and violated the law must be removed from office, held accountable and brought to justice."
Local elected officials had strong reactions to the commencement of the District Attorney's investigation.
Tony Beall, Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Pro Tem, declared, "I believe a culture of corruption exists within the ranks of the CUSD leadership. I urge the District Attorney to aggressively investigate all evidence of illegal activities and to vigorously enforce all the laws that may have been violated."
Mission Viejo Mayor Pro Tem Frank Ury also reacted to the news. "The arrogant treatment of parents and children by the leadership of CUSD has deeply troubled me over the past few years. It is unacceptable for the CUSD Trustees to cut millions of dollars from school programs at the same time they are building themselves a $52 Million administration building." Ury continued, "I look forward to the D.A.'s investigation to finally get some real answers for the residents of Mission Viejo."
James V. Lacy, Dana Point City Councilmember stated, "This is really a sad day for education in South Orange County. The Trustees are due a presumption of innocence, but if the District Attorney's corruption investigation reveals any avarice at all in their Boardroom, big changes are going to be necessary to win back the confidence of parents, teachers, and the kids."
Rancho Santa Margarita City Councilman Gary Thompson stated that, "Based on my first hand experience and dealings with this district since we became a city, I can't say I am surprised. It is unfortunate that the people who have suffered the most from their mismanagement of public funds have been the children."
Mission Viejo City Councilmember John Paul Ledesma said, "I am very concerned about the CUSD Trustees use of taxpayer dollars - from the 1999 bond measure to the $52 million dollar administration building! If there is an investigation of other issues I trust that the District Attorney's office will do a thorough job."
CUSD is one of the largest school districts in the State of California. Founded in 1965, the district serves seven cities and several unincorporated areas in South Orange County, including, Dana Point, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo, Coto de Caza, Wagon Wheel, Las Flores and Ladera Ranch. Approximately 50,000 children are enrolled in CUSD public schools.
To learn more about these important issues, please visit our website at
CUSD RecallUCLA ADHD Genetic Research Study | 3/12/06
Susan L. Smalley Ph.D. Medical Geneticist and James McCracken M.D. Child Psychiatrist are seeking participants for a study on ADHD and Genetics.
Benefits to Participants:
Free Psychological, mental reasoning and educational evaluations
Entrance Requirements:
- Families with at least two children affected with ADHD or ADD
- Families must speak English
- Children must be between 5 and 18 years of age
- Both biological parents must participate
Participation:
Mental reasoning and educational assessments, personal interviews, questionnaires and a small blood sample.
Time Commitment averages about 5 hours per person. Participants will have their brain activity (EEG) recorded
Payment:
$30 per person for parking and travel expenses. (eg. family of 4 participants = $120)
For more information, call 1 310 825 8660 or check out the website at adhd.ucla.edu
Yorba Linda CAC, IEP Game Training | 2/22/06
We want to thank the Yorba Linda School District Special Education CAC for inviting ACE to host an IEP Game interactive training sesssion. We trained 18 parents and 7 district personnel on Wednesday evening. Although our time was more limited than a typical IEP Game training, the parent feedback was positive and we were able to help many parents better grasp how to effectively participate in IEP meetings.