If you are seeking special services for your child at school, there are options if you are turned down. In addition to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a second federal law, known as Section 504, could also help your child. This is a civil rights law that stops schools from discriminating on the basis of a disability.
Clarence Darrow, the famous American attorney, was known for his pithy insights about the role of law in civil society. One of his best-known comments is this: “Laws should be like clothes. They should be made to fit the people they serve.”
If you are from an educational institution and a student is applying for financial aid, they must provide correct information. The intentional misreporting of information on financial aid application forms is a violation of the law and is considered to be a criminal offense.
Did you know that many contracts are not as explicit as they seem and may contain loopholes that can lead to a dispute and potentially a lawsuit? Many contract disputes actually arise from a misunderstanding over contract meaning and the resulting obligations.
While certain principles like compulsory education are well established, education law is constantly evolving. It’s interesting therefore to note that the word “law” evolved from the Old Norse, lag, meaning something laid down, decided or settled.
When it comes to civil suits, arbitration is a common method of resolution. Here, the arbitrator operates much like a judge in making a decision concerning the case, but he or she doesn’t have the same legal authority to hold either party in contempt of court.
One of the benefits of mediation when it comes to the resolution of civil cases is that this process can facilitate open and calm communications between opposing parties to try to come up with a deal. However, no binding decisions are made and either party can walk away at any time.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) you as a parent have the right to have your child evaluated and tested through the schools. This is meant to determine whether he or she indeed has a learning disability and qualifies for special assistance.
Not all types of discrimination constitute a violation of civil rights. For example, a landlord may refuse to rent an apartment to a pet owner. However, that landlord may not reject applicants on the basis of race, gender, etc.