Coppell is a city that values education above almost everything else. The Coppell Independent School District's (CISD) reputation is the primary reason why families relocate to the area. However, that reputation can occasionally generate a special set of pressures for parents of children with disabilities. A child who learns differently may easily feel left behind in a high-achieving setting or have their needs downplayed by an administration that prioritizes test scores and rankings.
At Bivona Law, we believe that every student in Coppell has the right to a "Free Appropriate Public Education" (FAPE). This is a federal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), not only a slogan. You need our special education attorney, who is knowledgeable about both the local environment and the federal regulations that safeguard your child when the school district does not offer the required assistance, or when the "ARD" (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) process becomes hostile.
Many people have questions about whether they need a lawyer or if using a non-lawyer advocate will work for them. What many people don’t realize is that, while both advocates and attorneys provide guidance, special education lawyers have a greater understanding of the law and greater authority due to their legal training. The work performed by a special education attorney goes well beyond attending IEP meetings; we create an ongoing legal record that protects your child for years to come.
The laws surrounding special education can seem like a maze filled with multiple levels of statutes, regulations, and constantly changing judicial decisions. A special education attorney has the experience and knowledge to interpret the implications of how recent judicial decisions may affect your child’s right to receive “compensatory services” in future school years. We develop a strategy that considers not only the current school year but also the long-term transition to adulthood and eventual success after high school.
If anything isn't documented in writing, it didn't occur in the field of special education. We assist parents in recording all of their communications with the district. To identify any areas where the district may have failed in its responsibilities, we examine evaluation reports, internal correspondence, and school records.
Having a lawyer there alters the atmosphere, whether it's during a challenging ARD meeting, a Section 504 hearing, or a "Resolution Session" after a due process complaint. School districts have their own legal departments. You may level the playing field, make sure your voice is heard, and protect your child's rights by hiring us as your attorney.
The ARD Committee is the name of the IEP team in Texas. All decisions pertaining to your child's eligibility, placement, and assistance are made by this committee. With a dozen experts seated around the table spouting educational jargon, these meetings can be intimidating for many Coppell parents.
Parents are "equal members" of the ARD committee under IDEA. But that's not how it usually feels. A special education attorney ensures that your suggestions are incorporated into the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) rather than merely "noted." We assist you in creating your "Parent Concerns" statement and make sure the school's objectives are quantifiable.
Coppell ISD must follow strict timelines established by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). When you request a "Full and Individual Initial Evaluation" (FIIE), the district has 15 school days to provide you with the consent paperwork or a written refusal. Once you sign that consent, the district generally has 45 school days to complete the evaluation and another 30 days to hold the ARD meeting. Your child's rights are being violated if these deadlines are disregarded, and legal action might be required.
Every school district has its own culture. We frequently observe persistent problems in Coppell that require the assistance of a special education lawyer.
"Child Find" is a legal requirement that the school district identify, locate, and evaluate every child suspected of having a disability. We often see cases in which a student is struggling emotionally or academically, but the school suggests a "wait and see" approach or uses a "Student Intervention Team" (SIT) to delay a formal evaluation. If your child is struggling and the school is not acting, they may be in violation of Child Find.
Many children in Coppell are identified as "Gifted and Talented" but also have underlying disabilities like ADHD, Dyslexia, or Autism. These students are often denied special education services because they are "passing their classes." Under the law, "passing" is not the only metric. If a disability is impacting a child's social development or causing extreme emotional distress, they are entitled to support regardless of their GPA.
Coppell ISD is required to educate your child in the "Least Restrictive Environment." This means that, whenever possible, they should be in the general education classroom with their peers. Sometimes, the district may try to move a child to a more restrictive "self-contained" classroom simply because it is easier for the staff. We fight to ensure your child has the "supplementary aids and services" they need to stay in the most inclusive environment possible.
Bullying is a serious problem that frequently affects people with disabilities. Bullies targeting students with an IEP or 504 plan may result in a "denial of FAPE" because the victim is too traumatized to learn. At Bivona Law, we take a dual approach: we hold the school accountable for the student's safety while also ensuring the ARD committee addresses the emotional impact through the IEP.
If you and the school district cannot reach an agreement during an ARD meeting, you have several options for "dispute resolution." Our special education lawyer is essential during these phases.
If the committee disagrees on a required IEP element, you can request a "recess" of up to 10 school days. This time is meant for both parties to gather more information and attempt to reach a compromise. We use this window to bring in outside experts or draft proposed language that meets the child's needs.
A neutral third party (supplied by the TEA) assists parents and the school in reaching a consensus throughout the voluntary mediation process. Although competent bargaining is necessary, mediation can be quite successful. To ensure that any settlement reached is both legally sound and fully enforceable, we act as the parents' representatives during these sessions.
The "trial" of special education is a Due Process Hearing. It is a formal court case that is heard by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). A legally binding ruling is reached when evidence is presented, and witnesses are cross-examined. Because the school district will be represented by its own law firm, it is critical that you have a special education lawyer to manage the "burden of proof" and present your case effectively.
Note on Attorney's Fees: Under IDEA, if a parent "prevails" in a due process hearing, the court may order the school district to pay the parent's reasonable attorney's fees. This is an essential safeguard that enables all families to defend their children's rights, regardless of their financial situation.
Instead of IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act serves a large number of Coppell students. While both laws provide protection, they are not the same.
Our special education lawyer can help you determine which path is right for your child. Sometimes, a district will push a child toward a 504 plan because it involves less paperwork and fewer legal protections for the parent. We ensure that your child is placed in the program that actually meets their needs.
We at Bivona Law are familiar with the community as well as the law. We are aware of Coppell's unique culture and the high standards parents have for their kids' education.
We want to find a solution, not a conflict. Our primary objective is always to use the ARD process to settle disagreements cooperatively. However, we have the litigation expertise required to pursue the matter to the highest levels of the TEA or federal court if the district disregards the law.
We think parents ought to be informed about their child's case at all times. We give frequent updates and concise justifications of the legal tactics we are using. We treat our clients like partners in the advocacy process.
We are familiar with the administrators and the special education directors in North Texas districts. This "local knowledge" allows us to anticipate how the district might respond to certain requests and to craft arguments more likely to succeed at the local level.
The years your child spends in Coppell schools are foundational. A failure to provide the right support today can lead to years of struggle in the future. Your child's rights must be upheld at every stage, whether they are just beginning their journey in an "Early Childhood Special Education" (ECSE) program or preparing for the "transition" to adulthood in high school.
It's time to get expert legal counsel if you believe you are at a standstill with the school system or if your child's development has stalled. You don't have to navigate this complex system alone.
