With the statewide school closure being extended through the end of the 2019-2020 school year, many parents are looking for extra resources to supplement the distance learning programming provided by their school districts. We at the Law Offices of Hirji & Chau want to help direct parents toward free, online resources that they can access during the school closures. We …
California is slowly rolling out a program to increase access to internet and computers
Governor Gavin Newsom gave an update today on the current state of public education and what is to come. The state is planning on providing free wi-fi and hotspots that will roll out the first week of May, and is raising additional funds to provide chromebooks to students to “bridge the equitable divide”. Regional Centers are distributing chromebooks in rural …
Reimbursement for Privately Funded Services
The current school closures due to COVID-19 have left several families of children in special education wondering what options they have for ensuring that their child does not fall behind or regress in their academics or skills. Some families are wondering whether they may be entitled to reimbursement if they privately fund additional services, such as tutoring, or language and …
Compensatory Education during COVID-19 School Closures
Both federal and state guidance provides that students with individualized educational plans (“IEPs”) may be entitled to compensatory education during school closures to make up for any skills that may have been lost. [1] Whether and to what extent compensatory services are owed must be made on an individual basis. The California Department of Education, provides that “educational need can …
A Successful Campaign for the IDEA
The Law Offices of Hirji & Chau, spearheaded a successful campaign to send a petition of over 1000 supporters to write to Secretary DeVos calling for NO WAIVERS to the IDEA. You can find the updated letter and list of supporters, here.
Governor Newsom: Scenarios for the Reopening of Schools
In today’s presentation, Governor Newsom discusses different scenarios for the reopening of schools. He seemed to imply that some precautions that could take place include removing recess, PE, and school assemblies. He talked about staggered schedules – some in the morning, some in the afternoon. These issues will be discussed and also negotiated with unions etc. There was no discussion of …
NO WAIVERS TO THE IDEA
Law Offices of Hirji & Chau, LLP spearheaded an open letter to the Department of Education, calling for NO WAIVERS to the IDEA or Section 504. www.SaveIdea.org The letter was written by Diana Maltz. Within a week, we received support from over 780 parents, advocates/attorneys, civil rights organizations,community based organizations teachers, and service providers! While the letter is mailed as of …
Advocacy Issues Related to COVID-19
[La versión en español está a continuación de este mensaje] Dear special education community, We hope that you are staying indoors and are well. We understand that this time is especially difficult for you and are committed to your welfare. As you are aware, we are dealing with unprecedented issues in special education law and advocacy as a result of the …
New Faces in the LOHC Offices!
Congratulations to Lauren Fairbanks, Jasmin Stewart, and Robert D. Skeels on their new positions at The Law Offices of Hirji & Chau, LLP! Lauren (Associate Attorney) is passionate about protecting the rights of people with disabilities. She graduated from Tulane University in 2015. After that, she earned her Juris Doctor at the USC Gould School of Law. Lauren earned her …
Blocking Parent Experts from School Observation is Against the Law
In 2005, Long Beach Unified denied access to a private evaluator to observe a proposed placement for a student with Autism. Bonnie Z. Yates took the matter before the California Court of Appeals and won the seminal and often cited Benjamin G. case, that established the right of experts to observe prior to a due process hearing. Almost 14 years …