The Role of Assessments and Professionals in Out-of-District Placements

Description

When a student’s educational needs cannot be met within their local school district, the decision to place them in an out-of-district program is significant and complex. This workshop will explore the critical role of evaluations, data, and expert input in guiding that process. Participants will learn how various assessments—educational, psychological, clinical, and functional—inform placement decisions, and how collaboration among professionals, families, and districts ensures that each child’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is upheld. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the legal and practical considerations in New Jersey, as well as strategies for effectively using professional expertise to advocate for appropriate placements.

Presenter Bio: Laura A. Siclari, Esq. - serves as Of Counsel to Parles Rekem, bringing over 20 years of experience in education law at both the K–12 and higher education levels. Her practice centers on representing students and families in special education and general education matters, guardianship matters, as well as in disciplinary and higher education proceedings across the country. In the K–12 arena, Laura has represented countless students in special education due process hearings, IEP eligibility and placement disputes, Section 504 accommodation matters, and disciplinary matters. She also has extensive experience handling issues of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), as well as high school sports issues involving the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). Laura’s practice also includes higher education advocacy, where she represents students in Code of Conduct proceedings, Title IX investigations, and disciplinary hearings at colleges and universities nationwide. She has become a trusted resource for families navigating the increasingly complex landscape of student rights in higher education. Laura also has deep experience and understanding of mental health and addictions law issues, particularly as they relate to minors and students, having served on various boards for over a decade in these spaces, and has translated that experience into her student advocacy work. A frequent writer and lecturer on education law topics, Laura has published extensively in the New Jersey Lawyer Magazine and has presented to parent and professional groups on special education and student rights. She is known for her practical, compassionate, and solutions-oriented approach, helping families achieve results that preserve both educational access and student well-being.