Resources for parents trying to navigate their school system’s special ed program
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Experts say boy needs more special ed. District goes to court
A Kansas City area family is entangled in litigation with Shawnee Mission schools over special education law and services their son needs.
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Experts say their son needs more special ed. Shawnee Mission fights family in court
Resources for parents trying to navigate their school system’s special ed program
Shawnee Mission violated special ed law, independent officer says. Read the ruling
Read the federal appeal Shawnee Mission filed to fight special education rulings
Navigating the special education system in school districts across the Kansas City region can be complicated and difficult, attorney Matthew Rogers said.
Rogers, a Lawrence attorney who often represents parents of special needs students, said that many often struggle to understand federal and state special education laws. Even though parents have access to handbooks explaining their rights, it can be frustrating advocating for children who need more services.
Rogers is representing Natalie and Christopher Beer, a Westwood couple entangled in a years-long battle with the Shawnee Mission school district. They allege that the school system denied their son needed special education services.
Rogers told The Star that parents often have a disadvantage when they walk into a meeting about their children’s special education services.
“They’re not professional educators. They know their child. But they don’t know regulations,” he said. “They’re usually provided a parental rights booklet that tries to explain that to them. But unless they have an advocate or a lawyer, it’s a daunting task for parents to try to understand.”
Several organizations in Kansas and Missouri are dedicated to helping parents navigate the special education system and advocate for special needs children. Here are some of them:
▪ Disability Rights Center of Kansas advocates for the civil and legal rights of Kansans with disabilities. It also educates policymakers on needed improvements to the law, programs and public policy. drckansas.org
▪ Families Together Inc. is a nonprofit that provides training and resources at no cost to Kansas parents and children with disabilities. familiestogetherinc.org
▪ Missouri Parents Act is a federally funded parent training and information center that helps parents advocate for their children’s educational rights and services. missouriparentsact.org
▪ CAP4Kids, or the Children’s Advocacy Project of Kansas City, helps connect social service agencies and community resources with the families who need them. cap4kids.org/kansascity
