Across the United States, families are filing more complaints against school districts over special education services. From missed therapies to unfair discipline, parents are standing up for their children’s rights—and the numbers are climbing.
But why is this happening? And what does it mean for families?
At Shefter Law, we’ve been following this trend closely. To help parents understand what’s driving the increase, we’ve created a 4-part blog series that breaks down the biggest reasons complaints are rising today—and what families can do to protect their child’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Staffing Shortages and Overwhelmed Schools – How lack of qualified staff impacts services and IEP compliance.
- Increased Awareness of Student Rights – Why more parents are filing complaints as they learn about IDEA protections.
- Delays and Bureaucracy in Resolving Disputes – How red tape slows down resolutions and harms students.
- Disproportionality and Equity Concerns – Why students of color and English learners face higher risks of misidentification and unfair discipline.
👉 Stay tuned as we release each post in the coming weeks. Together, these articles will give you the knowledge and tools to better understand what’s happening in special education—and how to advocate for your child.
