Fort Lauderdale Education Law Blog

What accommodations are available for ADHD students?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Monday, November 12, 2018.

School can be extremely difficult for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, they are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11 percent of children ages 4 to 17 years old in the United States have ADHD.

Children with ADHD can experience troubles succeeding academically, and many will qualify for an individualized education plan (IEP). An IEP team will help arrange any accommodations your student might need and ensure your child is set up to achieve success in school.

Student athlete files suit to challenge suspension

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

We often discuss the numerous challenges students face in the classroom when it comes to complying with school policies. These policies are not always administered fairly or consistently, and there can be differences in how people interpret them.

However, these issues don't stop once a student leaves the classroom. As one recent case in another state should remind readers here in Florida, student athletes can face similar obstacles in their chosen sport.

What do schools do about cheating?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Like it or not, there are students who cheat in school. And ever since the first student peeked at another student's test answers, kids will find a way to cheat. Today's cheating methods may be far more advanced than ever before, but they can still result in some of the same traditional punishments.

As such, parents and students should all understand what the potential penalties are for cheating. It can also be important to understand what to do when the consequences of alleged cheating go too far.

Florida parents propose newer laws on after school clubs

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. on Monday, October 29, 2018.

Clubs are a great way for high school students to develop their social and intellectual skills. They can make new friends, explore their passions or discover something they never knew they were interested in to begin with. Though there are plenty of athletic opportunities offered at high schools, they are heavily based on a student’s physical ability and skill set. A club can be a great alternative to keep them busy if they cannot or do not want to play basketball.

However, clubs do not have as many state restrictions set upon them as much as sports or competitive programs. In the last year, several concerned parents in Florida began suggesting different laws to their respective counties to either keep the children safer or to give them more say on who can join a club.

Student suspended after protests on backpack ban

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

High school students can find themselves caught between being an adult and being a teenager in school. Finding ways to express themselves and take ownership of their beliefs can therefore be a struggle within the context of school. And in some cases, their efforts result in unfortunate penalties.

Recently, for instance, a student made international headlines when he protested his school's ban on backpacks by carrying his books in items like a microwave and a saucepan. The school suspended him because of his behavior, which invites the question of how can students engage in peaceful protests without it damaging their academic future?

Single sexual harassment claim can reveal more pervasive issues

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Friday, October 19, 2018.

A school should be a place where everyone is safe and doesn't have to worry about violations of their rights. No student, teacher or faculty member in a school should be subjected to harassment.

Unfortunately, this is a very real concern for too many children and adults in Florida. And sadly, harassment isn't always limited to one victim and one perpetrator. In some cases, harassment is a widespread problem that only comes to light when one person steps forward.

Does holding students back hurt or hinder them?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Friday, October 12, 2018.

The decision to hold a student back is typically a controversial one. No one wants their child to repeat a grade, but is there any benefit of allowing the student to continue moving up in school if they are not prepared for the next step?

Recent studies shed some light on whether holding a student back is, in fact, best for the student or not.

Teachers: What to know about defending against false allegations

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Monday, October 1, 2018.

Accusations of assault by a student of inappropriate or unlawful behavior are devastating for any educator. Such allegations can harm a teacher’s reputation and career, and it can drastically affect a person’s spirit and dedication to the education of young people.

The fallout can be far more serious if a person is convicted. As such, an aggressive defense against wrongful assault allegations is critical. While every case and every accusation must be considered carefully on its individual merits, it can be helpful to understand how it may be possible to defend against these accusations to avoid wrongful conviction.

Florida charter school presents plan to reduce truancy rates

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. posted in Education Law on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Many kids don't want to go to school. Some think it's boring or unnecessary; others might be scared of bullies or failing a test; still others skip school because it is too difficult to get there.

This last point is one that schools should be particularly concerned about because it could be something that they could have a significant role in addressing.

Does your child need consent for a flu shot?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Steve Rossi P.A. on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

Many consider October to be the beginning of the flu season. Numerous studies show the benefits for both adults and children to get a flu shot as soon as they can. Children especially can benefit from it since their immune systems are still developing.

However, parents can also have many reasons for not wanting their children to get a flu shot. Some might feel that the kids do not need it or worry that they could suffer from an additional disease such as transverse myelitis. Others want to be in the room with their children to calm down a fear of needles. Schools also offer to give children flu shots and have consent forms to see if the parent agrees to have their child vaccinated or not. This practice was recently called into question when a Milton mother discovered her received a flu shot without her consent.