In this video, Education Lawyer John Schuman, talks about how he became interested in Education Law. John explains that he became a lawyer because he was interested in children’s rights. The one space that a child has the most interaction, the most needs within institutions and the most protection of their needs is at school.
John was then asked “what types of problems do children face in education law?” The first is in relation to accommodation of a child’s special needs. The second is in relation to discipline, suspensions or expulsions. The third is when a child is being bullied or otherwise is being maltreated at school. And the forth is in relation to administrative matters where the child is falling through the cracks of the school system.
John helps students from pre-school all the way up to college and university. All students have rights, and it’s John’s job to make sure that all students get the benefits that the education system offers to them.
Every child has a right to an education. That right means more than just attending school every day. It means having the material presented in a way that allows the child to learn. It also means that every child should be free from harassment and bullying while at school. No child should be stigmatized or prevented from coming to school or from being given the opportunity to learn while at school because he or she is “different.”
Every teacher and principal agrees with the above statements. They are all consistent with the Ontario College of Teachers Standards of Practice for the Teachings Profession. Unfortunately, not every student gets the education they deserve without help. Some students are challenging to teach. For others it is difficult to figure out the best way to teach them. Playground dynamics can be complicated. Often it seems that teachers feel it is easier to ignore problems and hope they go away. Sometimes it is easier to try to convince a student to “go away” than to deal with that student’s situation or the impact that student might have on the school’s test results. When that happens, it seems like the child has “fallen through the cracks.”
If your child has “fallen through the cracks” at school, or is being harassed, or is not able to attend school, then it is time to consider hiring a education lawyer. At Devry, Smith & Frank LLP, our lawyers know that your child is entitled to a meaningful education. We know the laws and the regulations that apply to both public and private schools. We know the standards that teachers and principals must live up to. We know how to make sure your son or daughter gets the education that he or she is entitled to.
Our law offices are conveniently located in the Lawrence and Don Mills area of Toronto and we have plenty of free parking.
Devry Smith Frank LLP
95 Barber Greene Road #100
Toronto, ON M3C 3E9
(416) 449-1400
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