Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) has released a data snapshot about education access for students with disabilities drawn from OCR’s 2020-21 

Continue Reading Office for Civil Rights Releases New Data Snapshot Regarding the 2020-2021 Civil Rights Data Collection

Peter Maher has been quoted in the Special Ed Connection® article, “Pondering more restrictive placement for unruly student: Does it constitute predetermination?” To read

Continue Reading Peter Maher Quoted in Special Ed Connection Article, “Pondering More Restrictive Placement for Unruly Student: Does it Constitute Predetermination?”

Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter.
Written by attorney Thomas B. Mooney.

Dear Legal Mailbag:

I had a weird experience the other day that I need to share with you. A family new to the district came by to enroll their 4th grade daughter, and they stopped in to see me. I was delighted to welcome the newcomer to our happy little school. However, I was not happy to see her “best friend,” Woofy. I politely told the family that we do not allow dogs in our school, but they pushed back immediately. “Woofy,” the dad said, “is more than a dog, much more. Woofy is a service animal who provides emotional support for our daughter.”

I did my best to be polite, but Woofy was out of control, running around my office, sniffing everything in sight, and even licking my face. “Isn’t he great?” the dad asked rhetorically. “He brings such joy and comfort to our little girl.”

I admit that I am a cat person, but I am not anti-dog per se. However, I can’t imagine letting this “Woofy” creature into my school. Can I tell the family that Woofy belongs in the dog house? Please email me your answer, because the daughter is starting school tomorrow.

Thank you,
Dog Be GoneContinue Reading CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 10/16/2018