Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law

By: Ira M. Fingles, Esq.

Parents often look for services for their son or daughter outside of school hours. It is important to know the difference between ‘after care programs’ and ‘extended school day programs.’
Some students require additional instruction beyond the typical school day to make meaningful progress towards their IEP goals. This is referred to [...]

By Ira M. Fingles, Esq.
Sometime, particularly in situations of divorce or separation, there is a question of which school district is responsible for educating a student with a disability. The answer hinges upon the definition of domicile.
A student is domiciled in a school district if (1) he or she is living with a parent or [...]

Review the checklist to make sure you are prepared!

When was the last time your child was evaluated? Was it within the last 3 years?
Have you reviewed your child’s current IEP recently?
Are the IEP goals measurable?
Has your child mastered his/her goals? If not, why not?
Does your child need a behavior intervention plan?
Can your child communicate? Does [...]

By Ira M. Fingles, Esq.
Some students require additional instruction beyond the typical school day or typical school year to make meaningful progress towards their IEP goals. This is referred to as extended school day (“ESD”) and extended school year (“ESY”).
The most common method for determining whether a child is eligible for ESD and ESY is [...]

By Ira M. Fingles, Esq.
According to the IDEIA, students are entitled to a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) in the least restrictive environment. In order for a program to be appropriate, a student’s Individualized Education Plan/Program (“IEP”) must include measurable goals that are designed to address the student’s unique needs. Likewise, the student needs to [...]

By Ira M. Fingles, Esq.
The obligations of post-secondary institutions in special education are quite different from the local high schools.
School districts must provide a free appropriate public education to all of their students who have been identified as having a disability that impacts their ability to be educated. Parents should realize, however, that the Individualized [...]

By: Ira M. Fingles, Esq.
Bullying has become a serious problem in schools nationwide, and, according to the Office of Civil Rights, students with disabilities are increasingly affected.
Bullying can lead to higher dropout rates, violence in school, lower self-esteem, fewer friends, declining grades, and increased illnesses. Youth with disabilities are particularly vulnerable and represent a high-risk [...]

by Herbert D. Hinkle, Esq. and Ira Fingles, Esq.
When most people use the term “special education,” they are referring to the rights created by a federal statute known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or “IDEA.” In addition to the IDEA, however, there is another federal statute that provides important rights for students with [...]

by Herbert D. Hinkle, Esq. and Ira Fingles, Esq.
Parents of students with disabilities are not without options if their local school districts fail to offer appropriate services. The law allows parents to resort to self-help to ensure that their children’s needs are met. Parents are entitled to place their children into private schools that they [...]