posted by Pat Hoover at 12:16 PM 0 comments
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
MSDE School Therapist Decertification Proposal Defeated!
Thankfully, the Maryland State Department of Education effort to decertify school therapists has been withdrawn (see previous blog posting for details). Occupational, Physical and Speech Language professionals are present throughout the State working every day with our neediest school children. Following a fire storm of well deserved oppostition to the ill founded proposal, it was withdrawn earlier this month. Yes!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Urgent! MD School Therapists Face Decertification
Help stop MSDE from De certifying the thousands of school therapists working in the service of our children. For many years the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) administered a successful system of employee Certification over the teachers, therapists and other professionals charged with the education of our our kids. Recently, MSDE published its astounding proposal to change the Certificate program and force all school therapists out of existing and necessary MD Regulations.
Please join me in sending Dunbar Brooks, President, MSBOE c/o MSDE 200 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21021, a message in clear opposition to this new scheme. We can't afford to lose our many hard working school therapists, our kids are depending on us to say no to bureaucratic lunacy, no to the certain reduction in services left for our school age kids everywhere in Maryland. Check out his link for a clear description of the issue from our local teachers union. Thank you for helping in the effort to preserve school therapists in Maryland.
For details on the repeal effort and how to stop it:: http://www.scribd.com/doc/3320801/OTPTSLPinfopacket
To review and/or join mdschooltherapsits for more on the issue:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mdschooltherapists/
Please join me in sending Dunbar Brooks, President, MSBOE c/o MSDE 200 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21021, a message in clear opposition to this new scheme. We can't afford to lose our many hard working school therapists, our kids are depending on us to say no to bureaucratic lunacy, no to the certain reduction in services left for our school age kids everywhere in Maryland. Check out his link for a clear description of the issue from our local teachers union. Thank you for helping in the effort to preserve school therapists in Maryland.
For details on the repeal effort and how to stop it:: http://www.scribd.com/doc/3320801/OTPTSLPinfopacket
To review and/or join mdschooltherapsits for more on the issue:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mdschooltherapists/
Labels: Education
posted by Pat Hoover at 10:20 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Seminar at E. Panhandle Autism Support Group, Martinsburg, WV April 28, 2008
April 28, 2008.
Two hours is never enough to present all of the material a parent or advocate needs to know in special education law. Fortunately, the group did videotape the event for the many members who were unable to attend. When this video is made available, we will post it on our site.
Patrick Hoover met with over 30 concerned parents to discuss their 
children's legal rights under the IDEA. The Eastern Panhandle Autism Support group in Martinsburg, West Virginia, formed to help parents and caregivers' frustrations with their school system's inability to follow the IDEA and provide appropriate education to their children; they work to channel the group's frustration into mediation, legal and political solutions that can help their children gain an appropriate public education in West Virginia.
children's legal rights under the IDEA. The Eastern Panhandle Autism Support group in Martinsburg, West Virginia, formed to help parents and caregivers' frustrations with their school system's inability to follow the IDEA and provide appropriate education to their children; they work to channel the group's frustration into mediation, legal and political solutions that can help their children gain an appropriate public education in West Virginia. At The ABC’s of Special Education Law Seminar, Pat shared a typical school rights case involving a child with autism who regressed due to a "cookie-cutter" IEP and poor implementation. Using that model case as an example, Pat shared strategies and techniques that parents and advocates can use before, during and after IEP meetings, manifestation hearings, and emergency IEP meetings. Pat also discussed the relevant law for IDEA, and gave handouts sharing the legal bases for due process to these parents.
The seminar was designed to tap into the collective and extensive knowledge of the group's members. 
After Pat presented a scenario and the relevant law, participants broke out into groups. Each group was tasked with reading a special education question and providing an answer based upon their knowledge and the knowledge gained from the seminar. Then each group had the opportunity to ask Pat their own question involving special education issues. More often than not, the group members created excellent strategies and answers to the questions presented, proving the adage that strength - and knowledge- lies in numbers.
After Pat presented a scenario and the relevant law, participants broke out into groups. Each group was tasked with reading a special education question and providing an answer based upon their knowledge and the knowledge gained from the seminar. Then each group had the opportunity to ask Pat their own question involving special education issues. More often than not, the group members created excellent strategies and answers to the questions presented, proving the adage that strength - and knowledge- lies in numbers.
Two hours is never enough to present all of the material a parent or advocate needs to know in special education law. Fortunately, the group did videotape the event for the many members who were unable to attend. When this video is made available, we will post it on our site.If you are interested in learning more about the Eastern Panhandle Autism Support Group, they can be found at http://www.freewebs.com/epwvautism/index.htm
posted by Melissa Ngaruri at 4:25 PM 0 comments
UPDATE!! NEW GUEST SPEAKER DEL. HIXSON ADDED
The Education Law Section, with many thanks to Marjorie Just of the Legislation Committee, is honored to present Del. Sheila Hixson, who will join the Education Law Section meeting as a guest speaker. Del. Hixson will begin the seminar with an overview of bills passed for Maryland public education and funds for Montgomery County. The Delegate will also describe the student discipline bills recently passed, and will share information about the passage of other bills promoting the well-being of students in Maryland.
Patrick J. Hoover, Esq., chair of the Education Law Section, will follow up with a practitioner's guide to the in's and out's of the current education laws in Maryland, Maryland school systems and the disciplinary processes, the unique legal issues involving private schools' disciplinary processes, and parents and students rights, including their rights under IDEA in regard to suspensions and expulsions. Patrick Hoover will discuss how emotional disorder testing and identification can halt the expulsion process for many students, and will discuss those strategies with practitioners.
Dr. Vincent Culotta, president and owner of Neurobehavioral Associates and a Board-Certified Neurologist, will conclude the presentation by giving practitioners straightforward tips on the process in which emotional disorders result in suspension and expulsion matters; and he will teach practitioners how to interpret neuropsychological testing results, and how practitioners can use those results in advocating for students' rights under IDEA.
UPDATE!! NEW GUEST SPEAKER DEL. HIXSON ADDED:
The Whats and Hows of School Disciplinary Cases: Best Practices and Techniques.
Friday May 2, 2008, at 11:00 am.
The Education Law Section, with many thanks to Marjorie Just of the Legislation Committee, is honored to present Del. Sheila Hixson, who will join the Education Law Section meeting as a guest speaker. Del. Hixson will begin the seminar with an overview of bills passed for Maryland public education and funds for Montgomery County. The Delegate will also describe the student discipline bills recently passed, and will share information about the passage of other bills promoting the well-being of students in Maryland.
Patrick J. Hoover, Esq., chair of the Education Law Section, will follow up with a practitioner's guide to the in's and out's of the current education laws in Maryland, Maryland school systems and the disciplinary processes, the unique legal issues involving private schools' disciplinary processes, and parents and students rights, including their rights under IDEA in regard to suspensions and expulsions. Patrick Hoover will discuss how emotional disorder testing and identification can halt the expulsion process for many students, and will discuss those strategies with practitioners.
Dr. Vincent Culotta, president and owner of Neurobehavioral Associates and a Board-Certified Neurologist, will conclude the presentation by giving practitioners straightforward tips on the process in which emotional disorders result in suspension and expulsion matters; and he will teach practitioners how to interpret neuropsychological testing results, and how practitioners can use those results in advocating for students' rights under IDEA.
A question and answer session will conclude the presentation.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Melissa Ngaruri, Patrick Hoover Law Offices, at 301.424.5777.
posted by Melissa Ngaruri at 2:47 PM 0 comments
Friday, April 18, 2008
Breakout Seminar at BAMC Law Day, May 2, 2008
The Education Law Section, chaired by Patrick Hoover, has added a breakout session to the Annual Meeting & Law Day Celebration, to be held on Friday, May 2, 2008. Registration for the Annual Meeting & Law Day Celebration is at http://www.montbar.org/pdffiles/anmeetinfo.pdf.
THE WHATS AND HOWS OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINARY CASES:
Patrick Hoover and Dr. Vincent Culotta will offer a comprehensive and practical seminar on how to handle your client's public and private school suspension and expulsion cases from start to finish. Patrick Hoover will share the in's and out's of the current education laws in Maryland, Maryland school systems and the disciplinary processes, the unique legal issues involving private schools' disciplinary processes, and parents and students rights, including their rights under IDEA in regard to suspensions and expulsions. Patrick Hoover will discuss how emotional disorder testing and identification can halt the expulsion process for many students, and will discuss those strategies with practitioners. Dr. Vincent Culotta will share with practitioners the process in which emotional disorders result in suspension and expulsion matters; and he will teach practitioners how to interpret neuropsychological testing results, and how practitioners can use those results in advocating for students' rights under IDEA.
We hope to see you there!
11:00 a.m. - Noon Education Law Section: Speakers: Patrick Hoover, Esquire and Dr. Vincent Culotta
THE WHATS AND HOWS OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINARY CASES:
BEST PRACTICES AND TECHNIQUES
Patrick Hoover and Dr. Vincent Culotta will offer a comprehensive and practical seminar on how to handle your client's public and private school suspension and expulsion cases from start to finish. Patrick Hoover will share the in's and out's of the current education laws in Maryland, Maryland school systems and the disciplinary processes, the unique legal issues involving private schools' disciplinary processes, and parents and students rights, including their rights under IDEA in regard to suspensions and expulsions. Patrick Hoover will discuss how emotional disorder testing and identification can halt the expulsion process for many students, and will discuss those strategies with practitioners. Dr. Vincent Culotta will share with practitioners the process in which emotional disorders result in suspension and expulsion matters; and he will teach practitioners how to interpret neuropsychological testing results, and how practitioners can use those results in advocating for students' rights under IDEA.
BIOS:
Patrick Hoover, Esq., is currently Chair of the Education Law Section of the Bar Association for Montgomery County, and is the principal of Patrick Hoover Law Offices, a boutique firm that concentrates in juvenile law, education law and special education matters. Patrick Hoover has over 20 years experience with school law cases, and his practice handles cases from initial school investigations to the final appeals process.
Dr. Vincent Culotta is a board-certified neuropsychologist and Fellow of the American College of Professional Neuropsychology and the Maryland Psychological Association. He is also president and owner of Neurobehavioral Associates, a multidisciplinary practice serving children, adolescents, and adults with neurobehavioral disorders.
Patrick Hoover, Esq., is currently Chair of the Education Law Section of the Bar Association for Montgomery County, and is the principal of Patrick Hoover Law Offices, a boutique firm that concentrates in juvenile law, education law and special education matters. Patrick Hoover has over 20 years experience with school law cases, and his practice handles cases from initial school investigations to the final appeals process.
Dr. Vincent Culotta is a board-certified neuropsychologist and Fellow of the American College of Professional Neuropsychology and the Maryland Psychological Association. He is also president and owner of Neurobehavioral Associates, a multidisciplinary practice serving children, adolescents, and adults with neurobehavioral disorders.
posted by Pat Hoover at 10:38 AM 0 comments
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Our Webmeister Moving On... Congratulations to Charlie!!!
Charlie, oldest of my three handsome sons and known to our faithful readers as Web Master to this site, was recently accepted at Xavier University in Ohio. Charlie is scheduled to begin at Xavier in the Fall. It remains to be seen how much of the usual web site-care and feeding Charlie can manage, while going to school in Ohio but I'm hoping that he'll do it all on line and we won't miss a beat. I sure will miss seeing Charlie everyday though and while I'm really excited for him at being accepted by Xavier, I'm also more than a little sad to think of not having Charlie at home. At nineteen and with two years of Montgomery College under is belt, Charlie, unlike his old dad, is way past ready to move out. Charlie, I'm going to miss you a whole lot. Love, Dad
posted by Pat Hoover at 9:39 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
That Time of Year - Students in Need!
By now in the current school year, many parents have come to realize that their child is not doing well in school. Often times, this reality exists even with the help of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) tailored to the student's special needs. Private attorneys practicing education law see an annual upsurge in new client calls around this time. This year is no exception.
Just because a student has an existing IEP, or the school provides class room accommodations for the student, does not mean, that's the end of the story. The fact is, kids are the ultimate "work in progress" and its wrong to assume there's nothing else left to try to help the struggling student. Parents need to aggressively confront school issues through dialogue, meetings, conferences, and perhaps new evaluations and the careful implementation of new strategies.
In our practice, located in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., we see the need for educational advocacy on the rise at this point in the school year and encourage families to act now to get help to intercede for their children experiencing serious problems in school. Now's the time!
Just because a student has an existing IEP, or the school provides class room accommodations for the student, does not mean, that's the end of the story. The fact is, kids are the ultimate "work in progress" and its wrong to assume there's nothing else left to try to help the struggling student. Parents need to aggressively confront school issues through dialogue, meetings, conferences, and perhaps new evaluations and the careful implementation of new strategies.
In our practice, located in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., we see the need for educational advocacy on the rise at this point in the school year and encourage families to act now to get help to intercede for their children experiencing serious problems in school. Now's the time!
posted by Pat Hoover at 8:03 AM 0 comments
Monday, February 04, 2008
School Expulsion Cases Spike Up.
I don't pretend to have hard statistics to back this up but I, along with others have experienced a sudden rise in the number of drug and alcohol related school expulsion this school year. Having many years of experience representing students suspended and facing the real possibility of school expulsion (leaving aside the subject of formal prosecution) -- accused of having alcohol or drugs on school grounds -- my office and many others like it, have seen a sudden and sharp rise in cases loads. It has become clear that virtually all of the public schools in this region are handing out suspensions and following up with school expulsion, like there's no tomorrow!
The number of students accused of committing drug and alcohol offenses has spiked well over the usual numbers typically seen at this point in the school year. The rise in school related drinking and drug cases, cuts conspicuously across demographics. Students of both sexes are fairly represented. These are kids from both regular education and special education placements, and students from affluent, middle and lower income families, living in cities throughout the region. We see students from middle school all the way through high school and into college, arrested for possession on school property or at after school activities. The increased numbers we see in youth alcohol and drug possession, present a startling turnabout from recent years, especially when it comes to drug related charges.
I have no explanation for the bump in cases we've seen in school expulsions cases this year. But I wonder if the increased number of students who are suspended and faced with expulsion from school, comes more as a result of our schools' hardening policy than it does from any drastic shift in attitude by the student population.
The number of students accused of committing drug and alcohol offenses has spiked well over the usual numbers typically seen at this point in the school year. The rise in school related drinking and drug cases, cuts conspicuously across demographics. Students of both sexes are fairly represented. These are kids from both regular education and special education placements, and students from affluent, middle and lower income families, living in cities throughout the region. We see students from middle school all the way through high school and into college, arrested for possession on school property or at after school activities. The increased numbers we see in youth alcohol and drug possession, present a startling turnabout from recent years, especially when it comes to drug related charges.
I have no explanation for the bump in cases we've seen in school expulsions cases this year. But I wonder if the increased number of students who are suspended and faced with expulsion from school, comes more as a result of our schools' hardening policy than it does from any drastic shift in attitude by the student population.
posted by Pat Hoover at 8:42 PM 0 comments
