Image by kayels via FlickrThis blog has recently come under attack. In these situations, I find it useful to review the disclaimer prominently displayed on the lefthand side of the blog.
My work in special education law is as an impartial. I serve as a hearing officer and mediator or as a state consultant or speaker. I never advise or represent parents/students against school districts or school personnel against parents/students. This sometimes frustrates readers who leave comments or send emails seeking legal advice. I am sorry about that; I wish I could help. But it would not be ethically acceptable.
Also, this blog is for educational purposes only. We seek to educate our readers about special education law. We do not pretend to be a substitute for a lawyer licensed in the state where a person resides. We seek, rather, to inform the readers of this blog about current issues in this complicated and ever-growing area of the law. We share many resources that we hope are useful to all the stakeholders in this field who regularly, or occasionally tune us in.
I never discuss cases pending before me. Personally identifiable information is protected by law for those folks. I also never discuss the lawyers who appear before me. This is tempting because of some amusing antics, but I save those gems for training hearing officers, mediators and others who are occasionally bothered by counsel.
In discussing special education law issues on these pages, I do not discuss issues pending before me in cases. Any matter pending before me as a hearing officer is determined on its own merits. In each case, the parties produce evidence. The case is decided solely upon the evidence in the record in the case. Each case is treated seriously and with respect for the child, the parents and the school personnel. The factual record is applied to the law, and the issues are resolved. Cases are not given more consideration or less consideration because of the juiciness of the issues. I try to resolve each case fairly and with the appearance of fairness. I teach techniques concerning these matters to other hearing officers.
Similarly, with mediations, I do not spend more or less time on cases depending on the issues. Instead, I spend the appropriate amount of time based upon the parties ability and willingness to attempt to resolve the dispute. Mediation is my preferred way to resolve special education disputes because it has the possibility of repairing the relationship issues.
If you find the information in this blog to be useful, please share that with others. I have fun here, I admit that readily. But I hope that you also find the blog to be a valuable resource. Please keep reading! Thanks.
