Too often, children with disabilities are subjected to restraint and seclusion in schools, and there is too little regulation in this area to adequately protect children. Each of us, as advocates, parents, teachers, and citizens should be keeping a watchful eye out to ensure that all children are safe in their school environments. Attorney Rebecca […]
Special Education
Know Your Rights
Right to a Free Appropriate Public Education
A federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and New Hampshire law require school districts to provide special education and related services for children with certain types of disabilities who, due to their disability, need specialized instruction and related services to receive an appropriate education. Under these laws, school districts must make a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) available to eligible children until they are awarded a regular high school diploma or turn twenty-one, whichever comes first. Children who are eligible under IDEA receive specialized instruction and related services that are outlined in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is developed by the student’s IEP Team. Parents are critically important members of the IEP team, as are youth with disabilities. It is very important to make sure children and youth with disabilities are getting the services from school districts they are legally entitled to receive. Below are links to informational brochures and resources related to special education.
Related Videos
Special Education and Discipline, Part II
This is the second of a six-part series exploring special education and discipline in our public schools. Our topic is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and our guest is Howard Muscott, Director, NH Center for Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Learn about PBIS, and hear from students and staff at Somersworth High School, where […]
Special Education and Discipline, Part III
This is the third of a six-part series exploring special education and discipline in our public schools. Our topic continues with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and our guests are Howard Muscott, Director, NH Center for Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports, and Maria Agorastou, PBIS Facilitator, NH Institute on Disability. Learn about PBIS, and […]
Special Education and Discipline, Part IV
This is the fourth of a six part series exploring special education and discipline in our public schools. Our guest is Ronald Lospennato, Director, School-to-Prison Reform Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. He and host Cindy Robertson discuss the project and how it relates to children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, and why the […]
Special Education and Discipline, Part V
Ron Lospennato is our guest in a continuation of the discussion about the School to Prison Reform Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and about the failure of the No Child Left Behind policy.
Special Education and Discipline, Part VI
Malcolm Smith, Ph.D., Family Life and Family Policy Specialist at the UNH Cooperative Extension Programs, discusses bullying.
Special Education and Discipline, Part VII
DRC Attorney Rebecca Whitley and host Cindy Robertson review past shows on discipline to wrap up the series, and discuss pending state and federal legislation to protect students from abusive restraint and seclusion in the classroom.
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[0] => Array
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[resource] => RAP Sheet (Fall 2012): Inclusive Education
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[1] => Array
(
[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: My Child is Struggling in School. What can I do?
)
[2] => Array
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[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: Signs an Adolescent may have an educational disability
)
[3] => Array
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[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: Special Education and Assistive Technology (AT)
)
[4] => Array
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[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: Transition Planning for Adult Life
)
[5] => Array
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[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: Filing a Complaint with the NH Department of Education
)
[6] => Array
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[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: Tips for advocating with school districts about your child’s special education
)
[7] => Array
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[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans: What’s the difference?
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[8] => Array
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[resource] =>
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[resource] =>
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[resource] => Southeastern Regional Education Service Center (SERESC)
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[resource] => Council for Exceptional Children
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[12] => Array
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[resource] => National Center for Learning Disabilities
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[13] => Array
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[resource] => PACER Center – Champions for Children with Disabilities
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[14] => Array
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[resource] => New Hampshire Center for Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports
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[15] => Array
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[resource] => OSEP Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
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[16] => Array
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[resource] => Documentary Film by Dan Habib: Including Samuel
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[17] => Array
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[resource] => Documentary Film by Dan Habib: Who Cares About Kelsey?
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[18] => Array
(
[resource] => Documentary Film by Dan Habib: Intelligent Lives
)
)
Information and Resources
DRC-NH Special Education Series: My Child is Struggling in School. What can I do?
DRC-NH Special Education Series: Signs an Adolescent may have an educational disability
DRC-NH Special Education Series: Special Education and Assistive Technology (AT)
DRC-NH Special Education Series: Transition Planning for Adult Life
DRC-NH Special Education Series: Filing a Complaint with the NH Department of Education
DRC-NH Special Education Series: Tips for advocating with school districts about your child’s special education
DRC-NH Special Education Series: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans: What’s the difference?
Documentary Film by Dan Habib: Including Samuel
Documentary Film by Dan Habib: Who Cares About Kelsey?
Documentary Film by Dan Habib: Intelligent Lives
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[resource] => Special Education procedural safeguards from the NH Department of Education
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[resource] => U.S. Department of Education – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Regulations
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[resource] => The Guide to New Hampshire’s Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities
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[resource] => NH Department of Education’s website with information on Section 504
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Resources and Information
Legal
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[0] => Array
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[resource] =>
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[1] => Array
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[resource] => DRC-NH Special Education Series: Transition Planning for Adult Life
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[2] => Array
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[resource] => The Rap Sheet: Taking the Next Step, an issue about postsecondary options PDF version
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[3] => Array
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[resource] => Making College Affordable: A Guide for Students with Disabilities
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[resource] =>
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[resource] => Clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities: The Heath Resource Center, an online
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[resource] => National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
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[resource] => National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
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[resource] => National Service Inclusion Project
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[resource] => University of Washington: College Funding for Students with Disabilities
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[resource] => Vocational Rehabilitation Services
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[13] => Array
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[resource] => Interactive site to plan for life after high school Youthhood.org
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Information and Resources
Transition and Postsecondary Education
DRC-NH Special Education Series: Transition Planning for Adult Life
The Rap Sheet: Taking the Next Step, an issue about postsecondary options PDF version
Clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities: The Heath Resource Center, an online
University of Washington: College Funding for Students with Disabilities
Interactive site to plan for life after high school Youthhood.org
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[0] => Array
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[resource] => James M. Baron, Esq., M.Ed.
395 Totten Pond Road
Suite 101
Waltham, MA 02451-2012
(781) 209-1166 (office)
(781) 795-1591 (fax)
E-Mail: jbaron@lawbaron.com
Web: www.lawbaron.com
Blog: http://www.specialeducation-lawyer.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/specialedattorney
Twitter: @jbaronlaw
Admitted in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Florida
)
[1] => Array
(
[resource] => Gregory Van Buiten
Karen E. Hewes
Theresa Kraft, Of Counsel
EdLaw New England
50 Bridge Street, Suite 203
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 695-6557
Fax: (603) 695-6558
www.EdLawNewEngland.com
)
[2] => Array
(
[resource] => O. Whitman Smith
Mickenberg, Dunn, Kochman, Lachs & Smith, PLC
P.O. Box 406
Burlington, VT 05402-0406
(802) 658-6951
Fax: (802) 660-0503
Admitted in Vermont only
)
[3] => Array
(
[resource] => Sheila Zakre
Zakre Law Office
4 Park Street, Suite 405
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 224-4400
Fax: (603) 224-2686
sheila@zlawnh.com
www.zlawnh.com
Note: Attorney Zakre also accepts other disability-related cases.
)
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Private Attorneys Who Take Special Education Cases
This is a list of attorneys who have informed us that they currently take cases in the area of special education. Placement on this list does not constitute a recommendation but is provided for the convenience of our clients.
James M. Baron, Esq., M.Ed.
395 Totten Pond Road
Suite 101
Waltham, MA 02451-2012
(781) 209-1166 (office)
(781) 795-1591 (fax)
E-Mail: jbaron@lawbaron.com
Web: www.lawbaron.com
Blog: http://www.specialeducation-lawyer.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/specialedattorney
Twitter: @jbaronlaw
Admitted in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Florida
Gregory Van Buiten
Karen E. Hewes
Theresa Kraft, Of Counsel
EdLaw New England
50 Bridge Street, Suite 203
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 695-6557
Fax: (603) 695-6558
www.EdLawNewEngland.com
O. Whitman Smith
Mickenberg, Dunn, Kochman, Lachs & Smith, PLC
P.O. Box 406
Burlington, VT 05402-0406
(802) 658-6951
Fax: (802) 660-0503
Admitted in Vermont only
Sheila Zakre
Zakre Law Office
4 Park Street, Suite 405
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 224-4400
Fax: (603) 224-2686
sheila@zlawnh.com
www.zlawnh.com
Note: Attorney Zakre also accepts other disability-related cases.
Array
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[0] => Array
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[resource] => Parent Information Center
P.O. Box 2405
Concord, NH 03302-2405
(603) 224-7005 V/TDD
(800) 947-7005 (N.H. only)
(603) 224-4365 (FAX)
Info@nhspecialed.org
http://www.nhspecialed.org/
)
[1] => Array
(
[resource] => Elizabeth Feingold
SEAC Services ~~ Special Education Advocacy and Consulting Services
PO Box 1484
New London, NH 03257
seacsvcs@gmail.com
www.seacservices.com
)
[2] => Array
(
[resource] => Frank McDonough
Hollis, NH 03049
603-340-5292
frankmcd17@gmail.com
)
[3] => Array
(
[resource] => SPED Solutions, LLC
Angela Kouroyen
PO Box 817
Derry NH 03038
(603) 216-7685
)
[4] => Array
(
[resource] => Suzanne Whitney
Suzanne Whitney Special Education Advocacy,LLC
P.O. Box 10545
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 249-6152
suewhitney@suewhitney.com
www.suewhitney.com
)
)
Advocates and Organizations That Assist Parents with Special Education Issues
This is a list of advocates and organizations who have informed us that they currently provide assistance in the area of special education. Placement on this list does not constitute a recommendation but is provided for the convenience of our clients.
Parent Information Center
P.O. Box 2405
Concord, NH 03302-2405
(603) 224-7005 V/TDD
(800) 947-7005 (N.H. only)
(603) 224-4365 (FAX)
Info@nhspecialed.org
http://www.nhspecialed.org/
Elizabeth Feingold
SEAC Services ~~ Special Education Advocacy and Consulting Services
PO Box 1484
New London, NH 03257
seacsvcs@gmail.com
www.seacservices.com
Frank McDonough
Hollis, NH 03049
603-340-5292
frankmcd17@gmail.com
SPED Solutions, LLC
Angela Kouroyen
PO Box 817
Derry NH 03038
(603) 216-7685
Suzanne Whitney
Suzanne Whitney Special Education Advocacy,LLC
P.O. Box 10545
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 249-6152
suewhitney@suewhitney.com
www.suewhitney.com
If You Need Help
Contact Us
Contact us if your think your rights have been violated or if you wish to speak with an attorney about a disability-related legal issue.