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Sarah was in fourth grade but should have been in sixth. She was retained twice in elementary school, despite attending regularly and making every effort to learn to read. Sarah was overlooked by her school for any additional instruction or suggestion of an evaluation even though she failed every reading test for six years. Her parents knew she struggled, but were unaware that the district was obligated to provide her with services to help her succeed.
When Sarah’s parents spoke to a neighbor, they were referred to Legal Aid.
Enter the team from the Education Advocacy Project (EAP) of Legal Aid.
EAP’s dedicated intake staff member listened to Sarah’s school history and requested educational records for review. Melissa Duncan, Esq., EAP’s supervising attorney, reviewed the records, identified several legal concerns, and assigned the case to an EAP staff attorney. Their successful negotiations resulted in a school transfer, individualized summer tutoring services so Sarah could be promoted to the next grade to be closer to same-aged peers, and daily individualized instruction during the school day to begin to close the learning gaps.
Although Sarah has not yet caught up academically to her peers, she is more confident and has tools that will allow her to be a successful student going forward. Her parents are thankful for EAP’s support and are now advocating for Sarah’s continued educational growth.
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