BSEA

Q & A: Invoking Stay-Put When Student Found Ineligible

Question:

My child has received special education services for two years. The the school re-evaluated my child and determined he no longer required an IEP. We asked if we could invoke our stay-put rights, and were told that we could not as stay-put can only be invoked when there is a reduction of service, not when ineligible for the service. Is this correct?

Answer:

No. You can and should invoke stay-put if your child is found ineligible for special education services. In Massachusetts, the services previously offered by the district that you previously accepted should continue until and unless the district files for a hearing and prevails.

If you are concerned about your child's special education supports and services, contact the Boston area law office of Wong & Boscarine.

2019 BSEA Decisions

2019 BSEA Decisions

At Wong & Boscarine LLC, we consistently monitor, review, and analyze Bureau of Special Education Appeals (“BSEA”) decisions in an effort to provide our clients informed and strategic legal advice. While the vast majority (above 90%) of BSEA disputes resolve without the need for a hearing, the remaining cases require a written determination by an impartial hearing officer.

Rejecting an IEP

Rejecting an IEP

Once the IEP team proposes an IEP, parents have the right to accept or reject the program, in whole or in part. Parents must indicate their response on the IEP, sign the document, and return it within 30 days of receipt. If the document is not returned within 30 days, the school may assume that the IEP has been rejected. Even if you strongly disagree with the proposed IEP or placement, it is always better to continue to communicate with the school and express your concerns in writing.

Attorney Wong and Nashoba Family Prevail at BSEA

Attorney Wong and Nashoba Family Prevail at BSEA

On December 6 2019, the Bureau of Special Education Appeals ("BSEA") ruled that the Nashoba Regional School District ("Nashoba") had violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA") by failing to offer a twelve-year-old boy with a complex profile an Individualized Education Plan ("IEP") that provided a Free Appropriate Public Education ("FAPE"). The BSEA ordered Nashoba to reimburse the family for their costs of unilaterally placing their son at the Learning Prep School.

Attorney Wong & Andover Family Prevail at BSEA

Attorney Wong & Andover Family Prevail at BSEA

On July 9, 2018, the Bureau of Special Education Appeals ("BSEA") ruled that the Andover Public Schools ("Andover") had violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA") by failing to offer a nine-year-old boy with dyslexia an Individualized Education Plan ("IEP") that provided a Free Appropriate Public Education ("FAPE"). The BSEA ordered Andover to reimburse the family for their costs of unilaterally placing their son at the Landmark School and found that the student continued to require intensive, specialized instruction in a fully-subseparate language-based program.

"Uniting Our Approach to Due Process" SPAN Forum

"Uniting Our Approach to Due Process" SPAN Forum

On June 7, 2018, the Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. ("SPAN") hosted its 10th Annual Same Side of the Table forum. BSEA Director, Reece Erlichman, moderated a panel of two hearing officers (Rosa Figueroa and Catherine Putney-Yaceshyn), Parent Attorney Lillian Wong, School Attorney Paige Tobin and several advocates and SPED Administrators.