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Subject: U.S. Supreme Court Opinion/Attorney
Representation in Court
Source: Cynthia Quetsch, Legal Counsel
Intended Audience: Directors of Special Education and other special
education contacts
Date: May 22, 2007
The United States Supreme Court has issued a decision finding that parents
have a personal right, separate from the right of their child, to a free and
appropriate public education (FAPE) for their children.
In Winkelman v. Parma City School District, the Court held that parents can
proceed in federal court without an attorney to determine if the school
district has provided FAPE for their child. The Court declined to rule on
whether nonlawyer parents can represent the child's interests in federal
court. The full opinion can be viewed at
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/06pdf/05-983.pdf.
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