Education Law Blog

Plain-language writing on special education, school discipline, Title IX, student speech, and the cases shaping education law in Washington — from the attorneys who argue them.

Cedar Law and SLG Survive Motion to Dismiss in Northwest School of Innovative Learning Case

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Cedar Law, in partnership with Seattle Litigation Group, is proud to announce a significant legal win on behalf of students with disabilities harmed while attending the Northwest School of Innovative Learning (NW SOIL). The court has allowed our clients’ claims under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) to proceed against NW SOIL, Tacoma Public Schools, … Read more

Cedar Wins Life-Changing Discrimination Case for Disabled Student

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Cedar partner Chris Williams and associate Rachel Sugar recently obtained a hugely restorative discrimination settlement for a young disabled child in a Washington school district. The client was a young first generation American of Kenyan heritage who relies on a ventilator and wheelchair. In all respects, he is cognitively normal, if not of advanced intelligence. … Read more

Cedar Law Wins Impactful Ninth Circuit Decision on IDEA to 22

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Today we received a unanimous, published Ninth Circuit decision that exiting disabled Washington students from IEPs prior to their 22nd birthdays likely violates federal law and causes “irreparable harm” to those students. As a result of this ruling, we expect that OSPI and therefore all Washington school districts will be enjoined from aging out … Read more

How Grassroots Effort Saved a Deaf Program at Evergreen Public Schools

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How Grassroots Effort Saved a Deaf Program at Evergreen Public Schools Cedar Law recently had the exciting opportunity to come together with teachers of the Deaf, Deaf education advocates, and parents of Deaf students in Evergreen Public Schools (the “District”) in Vancouver, Washington to change the future of Deaf education in the District and thwart … Read more

Cedar Delivers Big Win Against Peninsula School District on Dyslexia

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The tides may finally be turning for students with dyslexia in the state of Washington. Parents across the state have been clamoring for evidence-based dyslexia interventions, such as the Barton Reading and Spelling Program, only to be told that districts have no obligation to implement specific interventions for students with IEPs. This latest decision in … Read more

Cedar Wins Stay Put Order Requiring Travel Escorts for Student Placed Out of State

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On February 14, 2023, ALJ Matthew Wacker ordered that a School District in Washington State arrange for, fund, and provide a student a Student Travel Escort (STE) to accompany our 16-year-old client with autism during her visits between home and her residential placement in order to implement her stay-put program for an out-of-state IEP placement. … Read more

IEP Meetings

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IEP meetings can be overwhelming, but don’t have to be! Join our founding partner Lara Hruska in this comprehensive video as she walks you through the whole process, including who to invite to your meeting (yes, your child can be there!), how to set measurable goals, and ultimately how to get the accommodations they need to grow … Read more