Expert: James Michael Roan - 11/11/2006

Question
My very gifted son was in the International Baccalaureate program in Florida. He was recently expelled for a disciplinary problem. We have an IEP but the school was not providing services outside of speech therapy. The dean claims that magnet schools do not have to accommodate disabled children and does not have to provide services because they are a magnet program. It is inside a regular school and is the only one in the county. Can this be right? Please help and thank-you.

Answer
Hi Anna;

I'm not familiar with the magnet schools. I do know that the school district in which you reside is responsible for special education and related services from birth to 21 years of age. If the "magnet school" is a public school and your son is under 21, then they are most likely responsible.

Kind Regards,
James