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 CollectionIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Peter Maher Quoted in Special Ed Connection Article, “Pondering More Restrictive Placement for Unruly Student: Does it Constitute Predetermination?”
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?”Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools: Supreme Court Narrows IDEA Exhaustion Requirement
On March 21, 2023, the United States Supreme Court unanimously held in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, 143 S. Ct. 859 (2023) that a…
Continue Reading Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools: Supreme Court Narrows IDEA Exhaustion RequirementDistrict Court Dismisses Challenge to Elimination of Religious Exemptions from School Vaccine Mandates
On January 11, 2022, the federal District Court for the District of Connecticut dismissed a lawsuit brought by two associations and three individuals against three…
Continue Reading District Court Dismisses Challenge to Elimination of Religious Exemptions from School Vaccine Mandates
State Appeals Decision Regarding Maximum Age of Eligibility for Special Education
On June 10, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut ruled in A.R. v. Connecticut State Board of Education, 3:16-cv-01197 (CSH…
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Bureau of Special Education Issues Guidance on Continued Educational Opportunities and Special Education During COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 25, 2020, the Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE), issued guidance related to the implementation of continued educational opportunities…
Continue Reading Bureau of Special Education Issues Guidance on Continued Educational Opportunities and Special Education During COVID-19 Pandemic
SDE Issues Revised Guidance on Initial Evaluation Timelines: Federal Timeline Will No Longer Be Applicable Beginning 2020-2021
On January 23, 2020, the Connecticut State Department of Education (“SDE”) issued updated guidance on the timeline for initial special education evaluations (available here…
Continue Reading SDE Issues Revised Guidance on Initial Evaluation Timelines: Federal Timeline Will No Longer Be Applicable Beginning 2020-2021
SEE YOU IN COURT! – June 2019
The Nutmeg Board of Education is getting ready to close out its books for the 2018-2019 school year, and some of the new Board members…
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SDE Issues Guidance on Special Education Initial Evaluation Timelines
On December 21, 2018, the Connecticut State Department of Education (“SDE”) published updated guidance addressing the timelines for initial evaluations of students being evaluated for…
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CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 10/16/2018
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