One of the first "systems" a family encounters with their special needs child is the school system. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with educational disabilities have the right to a "free appropriate public education" beginning at age 3 until the earlier of high school graduation or age 21. A child's success in school is a major factor in a child's success in later life. It is critical that parents know where to turn and how to advocate when things are going wrong, or when they just have a question about the process. It should not have to be the parent's job to make sure that the school district does what it is supposed to do.

Sheila O'L. Zakre has advised hundreds of families about their rights, and represented them at IEP meetings, at due process and in federal court on diverse issues, including failure to provide services to transition high school students to jobs, failure to provide services mandated by the IEP, and school district payment of private school tuition. Parent's attorney's fees are payable by the school district if a family prevails at due process.

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