Transfers for Special Education Students Achieved- One Parent's Story About How The Law Office of Michelle Ball Helped

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995

What if you cannot get a simple transfer for your special needs children, but believe they will not be appropriately placed otherwise?  My office was hired to assist one family who no matter what they did, could not get a transfer for their special needs children.  When my office became involved, we were able to gather enough information and communicate effectively, thereby persuading the district that the transfers should go through.

Here is what one of the parents involved had to say:

"I highly recommend Michelle Ball!  Michelle Ball is a fantastic education attorney. Our school district wanted to make a school placement within the district that was not in the best interest of our children (IEP, 504, and handicapped). The district was adamant that our request for transfer would not be allowed, seemingly in opposition to the law.  We felt existing law supported our requested placement based on the services available at the schools in the district. In the face of a unified negative response from all levels in the district, she [Michelle Ball] provided legal guidance and support that ultimately drove the district to change their position and grant our request.

While the whole experience was unnerving, we learned not to give in, and pushed for a placement that was in the best interests of our children. The district seemed to believe that time and cost were on their side and that we would eventually accept their decision. With Michelle’s counsel we were able to fight and drive the district to change their position to one that met our children’s needs rather than the needs of the district. The cost of fighting the decision, while not insignificant, pales in comparison to the long term results that the district’s placement would have had on the rest of our children’s lives, and by extension, ours. They now have a much better chance at a quality education and a successful life, as opposed to the prospect of a less successful education experience and the negative impact that would have on the rest of their lives.

Many thanks!
-RJJ"

Thank you RJJ!

Michelle Ball
Education Law Attorney
LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL
717 K Street, Suite 228
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-9064
Fax: 916-444-1209
Email: help@edlaw4students.com

Website: http://www.edlaw4students.com/

Blog: http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/michelleaball

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EdLaw4Students

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Law-Office-of-Michelle-Ball/191273330901857

[please like my office on Facebook, subscribe via twitter and email, and check out my videos on Youtube!]

Please note: This testimonial or endorsement does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of a legal matter.

Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting, etc. etc.!  This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship.

READ MORE - Transfers for Special Education Students Achieved- One Parent's Story About How The Law Office of Michelle Ball Helped

What Happens After A School Expels a Student? Can They Still Attend Some School?

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995

No one likes to think about school expulsions or their child getting kicked out of school.  But what if the very worst happens?  What if an expulsion from the school district actually issues?

A child who is expelled, unless an exception is made in the expulsion decision and/or agreement, may not attend any school within the district from which they were expelled.  But, they still are entitled to an education.  Per California Education Code section 48915(d), a student who is expelled shall be referred to a program of study which meets the following conditions:

(1)  Is appropriately prepared to accommodate pupils 
who exhibit discipline problems.

(2)  Is not provided at a comprehensive middle, junior, or senior 
high school, or at any elementary school.

(3)  Is not housed at the schoolsite attended by the pupil
 at the time of suspension.

What this translates to in the real world post-expulsion, is usually a move to a continuation school.  If the school district has their own continuation school set up, the student is shuffled there.  If the district does not, the students are usually referred to the county continuation school.  These are not the places most parents usually want their child to attend, but they do work for some students in the right circumstances.  The reason they may be perceived as unsavory is, ironically, the fact that all the expelled (aka "bad") students attend these schools. Most parents do not envision their children as one of "those kids" even after they are expelled.

One good thing- usually the attendance at the assigned school is not mandatory (verify with your district), so a parent may attempt to enroll their child in another district, a charter school, a private school, or an on-line school.  Often an on-line school may be the only option, but the others may be worth a shot as well.  When applying, a parent must tell the new school they are trying to enter of the expulsion.  However, they can still attempt to persuade the school to admit the student.  A letter of their own and/or authored by their legal counsel explaining the situation, how it was flawed, etc. may be helpful.

Rather than take a shot at the expulsion hearing, and risk such a placement, it is strongly recommended that parents involve an attorney specialized in education law prior to the expulsion hearing so a more positive outcome may be sought. Expulsions are a big deal- don't chance it.

Best,

Michelle Ball
Education Law Attorney
LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL
717 K Street, Suite 228
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-9064
Fax: 916-444-1209
Website: http://www.edlaw4students.com/

Blog: http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/michelleaball

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EdLaw4Students

Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page [http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/]. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting, etc. etc.!  This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship.

READ MORE - What Happens After A School Expels a Student? Can They Still Attend Some School?