Legal Question in Education Law in Illinois

education law

i have an almost 16 year old daughter with a chronic disability. even though she tested out of eigth grade with standards of that of a freshman sophomore college level student we found that she has a profound learning disability in math. My daughter has not been attending school on a reg. basis all this school year. the district is seemingly of no help nor do i think that they care. I want to know if I can legally sign her out of school at the age of 16. we live in cook county, Illinois


Asked on 4/04/09, 5:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Walter Palmer Law Office of Walter Palmer

Re: education law

The "school leaving" age in Illinois is 16. Is she in High school now? Did she test that high in all subject areas?

The problem is that Special Education money has been so tight for so long the only students that can get placed are those with multiple problems.

You can hire an attorney to have her tested, but the best that will happen is that she will be put on a waiting list that will be so long she will never get placed.

My daughter had similar problems. When I tried to get her tested, the answer I got was "She's one of the best in her class." We moved to a more upscale school district and she was in special ed. like a shot. She was placed because of her math, but they did not have a math special ed. program so they put her in English - one of her strong subjects.

I suggest "home schooling" and one of the tutoring companies. If her academics are that strong, inquire at your local junior college. They are used to students who are at least adequate in one area and not so in others. From your zip code I would think maybe South Suburban?? Moraine Valley??

PS I was a school librarian at the time. My wife was a classroom teacher. Both in districts other than the one where she got into special ed.

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Answered on 4/04/09, 5:35 pm


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