Alternatives to Hiring a Special Education Attorney in California
Special education attorneys charge $300-$500/hour in California. Here are 5 alternatives that handle most IEP disputes without legal fees.
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Guides, tips, and resources from Special Ed Start Guide.
Best IEP Guide for California's Part C to Part B Transition (Regional Center to School District)
When your child turns 3, services shift from Regional Center to the school district. Here's the best resource to prevent therapy gaps during California's Part C transition.
Best IEP Resource for Parents in LAUSD, SFUSD, and Large California Districts
Large California districts have systemic IEP compliance problems. Here's the best resource for parents navigating special education in LAUSD, SFUSD, San Diego Unified, and similar districts.
Etsy IEP Planner vs California IEP Advocacy Toolkit: Which One Actually Helps?
Generic IEP planners organize paperwork. California-specific advocacy toolkits enforce rights. Here's which one you need and why the difference matters.
How to Track IEP Service Delivery in California Without Hiring an Advocate
California districts use SEIS to track therapy minutes internally. Here's how to request delivery logs, calculate missed services, and file for compensatory education yourself.
Due Process Hearing: How California Special Education Disputes Actually Get Resolved
How due process hearings work in California special education, what OAH does, how mediation compares, and what it costs to fight for your child's rights.
What Is an IEP? A California Parent's Plain-Language Guide
What is an IEP, how the California IEP process works, and what your rights are at every step. No jargon — just what you need to know.
Parent Rights in Special Education: What California Law Actually Guarantees You
A plain-language guide to parent rights in California special education — procedural safeguards, classroom observation, IEP meeting rights, and how to enforce them.
IEP Progress Monitoring: What California Districts Are Required to Report
What IEP progress monitoring looks like in California, how often you should receive reports, and what to do when the data shows your child isn't making progress.
504 Plan vs IEP: Which One Does Your Child Actually Need?
504 plan vs IEP — what's the real difference, which qualifies your child, and what California parents need to know before the meeting.
504 Plan for ADHD: Accommodations That Actually Work in California
How to get a 504 plan for ADHD in California, which accommodations to request, and what to do when the school isn't implementing it.
Transition IEP Goals: What California Students Need by Age 16 (and Earlier)
How transition IEP goals work in California, what post-secondary domains must be covered, and how AB 438 and WIOA expand the planning window to age 14.
Special Education Advocate vs. Attorney: Which One Do You Need?
What a special education advocate does vs. an attorney in California, when to hire each, and how to find help when you can't afford $300/hr legal fees.
Independent Educational Evaluation: How to Get One at District Expense
How to request an independent educational evaluation in California, when you're entitled to one at public expense, and what happens at the IEP meeting after.
IEP Meeting Checklist: How to Prepare Before You Walk In
A practical IEP meeting checklist for California parents — what to review beforehand, what to bring, what to ask, and what to do if you're not ready to sign.
IEP Goal Bank: How to Write Goals That Are Actually Measurable
What makes an IEP goal legally sufficient in California, a goal bank across key skill areas, and how to push back on vague goals that won't drive real progress.
IEP for Autism in California: Eligibility, Goals, and What to Demand
How autism IEPs work in California, what goals and services your child should have, and how to push for ABA, speech, and OT through the IEP process.
IEP or 504 Plan for Anxiety: How to Get Your Child the Right Support
Does anxiety qualify for an IEP or 504 plan in California? Here's how each option works, what accommodations help, and when school refusal changes the picture.
IEP for ADHD: What Qualifies, What to Ask For, and What Works
How to get an IEP for ADHD in California, which disability category applies, and the most effective IEP accommodations for kids with ADHD.
Functional Behavior Assessment: What It Is and How to Use It in California
What a functional behavior assessment covers in California, when to request one, and how the FBA connects to a behavior intervention plan in your child's IEP.
Manifestation Determination: What Happens When Your Child Gets Suspended
What a manifestation determination review is in California, how it works, your rights at the meeting, and what to do if the district gets it wrong.
Compensatory Education in California: When You're Owed Services and How to Claim Them
What compensatory education is in California special education, when OAH awards it, and how to document a claim if the district failed to implement your child's IEP.