I persoannly work with a family who just had an impartial hearing and used Susan Luger. They won pendency and the child is currently in a provate placement. Not sure of the details if he won for the BOE to pay for it. Mom is not happy there at that placement and is trying for a new school and got all of his hours back that were on his IEP from last year. If you want to contact me by email I can tell you what I know of the costs that the family has incurred so far.
Keri
Check out www.childadvisors.com Susan Luger, the advocate, takes cases that are exclusively about access private education at public expense. She is expensive and it's VERY expensive, overall, to mount a case like this against the school system, but she gets almost ALL her parents reimbursed for their private school tuition thru stipulation and not by having to go to a Hearing (although she is associated with an experienced lawyer who CAN do a Hearing if it comes to that).
WARNING TO NON-NYC readers: NYC has its own special education laws that are even different than the rest of NY State, so this post really only applies to parents living in the 5 boroughs.
Thank you tzoya. I will definetly check out www.childadvisors.com. I know this could be expensive, but do you know how much something like this can cost? Do you know what other alternatives I can take. I really appreciate your advise. Regards.My son is 4 years old and is aging out from preschool. I am in the process of looking at schools for September 2008. He is currently in a 6:1:3 classroom ratio. I am looking for a good school that will meet his needs. I doubt the public schools (district 75) will be sufficient enough for my son. I feel a private school setting will be good for him. Next week I have a meeting with the CSE to review my sons IEP. I need an advocate to help me through this process. Please help. Thank you.