special education & Bullying law

Special Education law involves a complex system of federal and state laws, which can be overwhelming to parents. The most important federal laws for special education are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These federal laws require schools to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. 

The law has many requirements for public schools, but the three primary responsibilities are: (1) Child Find – a school must have a system to identify students who are struggling or who may qualify for special education services; (2) schools must evaluate students who they believe may need support to determine if student is a “child with a disability;” and (3) schools must serve children with a disability by providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Representation may include counseling, parent advocate training, individualized education plan review and negotiation, participating in a mediation/resolution meeting, and due process preparation and presentation before hearing officer.

Hickman Law Group also represents students that have been victims of bullying and assists parents/guardians to ensure the rights of their student are protected.