KATU news reported a story on October 9, 2021, where a family discussed their Child’s challenges in accessing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through Hood River School District (District). The Frank family explained their experiences with having their child sent home early and continued challenges with the District. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and federal court judge ordered the…
After a Due Process Hearing in which Wiscarson Law represented the family, Hood River County School District (District) was found to have denied Student access to an education by both an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and on appeal, a federal district court judge. The OPB article discusses how Student’s educational struggles started on his first day of kindergarten, when his…
In the Fall 2021 issue of SpectrumLife Magazine, Diane Wiscarson and Taylar Lewis explain what restraint and seclusion practices are and when they are used in school. The article discusses how schools are limited in using restraint and seclusion, the procedure schools must follow after using such practices, and what parents can do if they feel their child is being…
Wiscarson Law filed a state complaint with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) in July 2021 against Portland Public Schools (PPS). The complaint alleges that PPS failed to provide Student with IEP Progress Notes, Extended School Year (ESY) services, Recovery Services, and as a result, a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). ODE concluded that the District had in fact…
In the Winter 2020-2021 issue of SpectrumLife Magazine, Diane Wiscarson and Taylar Lewis explain the difference between compensatory education and recovery services. The article discusses when recovery services are appropriate and how parents can show that their child qualifies for recovery services. View the article pages 26-27 in the Winter 2020-21 issue here: https://www.spectrumlife.org/blog/recovery-services-in-the-age-of-covid-19-614
In the Summer 2021 issue of SpectrumLife Magazine, Diane Wiscarson and Taylar Lewis explain how to determine if your child needs a one-to-one aid and what supports a one-to-one aid could offer. The article discusses how a student’s IEP team decides if a one-to-one aid is appropriate, and what parents can do to know if their child is receiving the…
In the Summer 2021 issue of SpectrumLife Magazine, Diane Wiscarson and Carly Cannon offer suggestions to parents on how to help their transition back to in-person learning this fall. The article gives ideas to parents on how to introduce their child to the school or work environment, practice social skills, adjust to changes, and build a routine. View the article…
An Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaint was filed in March 2021 against Seaside School District (District). The complaint alleges that the District discriminated against female students by providing inequitable athletic facilities to the female athletic programs, as compared to the boys’ athletic programs. During the course of OCR’s investigation, OCR expressed concern with the girls’ softball team for having…
An ADA Complaint was filed with the Office of Civil Rights against the Seaside School District. The complaint alleged that the District was violating accessibility requirements by failing to provide accessible parking lots at both its High/Middle and Elementary schools. Though the District managed to repair a few of the violations, it agreed to address the rest of the…
An Office for Civil Rights (OCR) complaint was filed in March 2021 against Seaside School District (District). The complaint alleges that the District discriminated against individuals with disabilities by failing to provide accessible parking lots at both the High/Middle and Elementary schools. The complaint was accepted by OCR and is currently being investigated. OCR Ref No. 10211029 Notification Letter