Law Office of Sean T. Goguen | Out of District Placement Specialist | Newburyport, MA
When your Child Needs an Out-of-District Placement
If you are a parent or guardian of a child with a disability, special education laws give you and your child important rights when it comes to public school education. The unfortunate reality, however, is that these laws aren't worth the paper they're written on if your school system doesn't follow them. If your public school district fails your child, you need someone who can fix the problem. This is where I come in.
My law practice focuses on representing families of children throughout Massachusetts who have special education needs. Although I can provide consultation services — helping families navigate the special education and Individual Education Plan (IEP) process — by far the majority of parents I represent are those seeking public funding to place their children in out-of-district, private special education schools. They come to me after they've exhausted efforts to educate their child in public school. And unfortunately, as more school districts across the state are now appointing lawyers as Special Education Directors, parents are increasingly feeling like they're being run over roughshod by their own school districts.
I have been engaged in the private practice of law for twenty years as a litigator and trial attorney. I have a great deal of experience in representing families at due process hearings before the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA), having tried many cases to conclusion and won out-of-district placements for the children I represent. I believe my experience as a trial attorney has given me an edge in the field of special education law. While special education law has been the area of focus for my practice, I also continue to accept and litigate civil cases such as personal injury and civil rights violations cases.
How Do I Choose A School?
Choosing a private special education school for your child can be complicated, and it must be done very carefully. On the Resources page, you will find useful links to the websites of all private special education schools that are currently approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), direct links to DESE's website, and thoughts on how to choose a special education school for your child.