The Law Offices of Adam Dayan represents parents of children with special needs in pursuing appropriate educational programs and services for their children. We represent children of all different ages who have a wide range of special education needs. It is never too early for a parent to seek help. We encourage parents to become informed early, and we provide guidance through all stages of the special education process.
New Mission
New Mission
My mission is to explore how other countries around the world are dealing with education and special education issues.
I would like to visit and observe different types of schools that have proven records of success, wherever those schools may be. I would like to meet with school directors and administrators, government officials, leaders in the business world, and others who are responsible for implementing education systems or otherwise connected to education to learn more about how education is being addressed in their communities.
If you know of any remarkable schools in other parts of the world (especially special needs schools), please let me know about them. If you know of any education experts who are engaged in remarkable work in this field, please introduce me to them.
Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts or ideas regarding the above. Read more about my mission here.

Friday, May 22, 2020
Comptroller Will Require DOE To Secure Authority Before Starting Settlement Negotiations
Monday, May 18, 2020
Public Hearings On Proposed Amendments To Commissioner’s Regulations
In particular, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is proposing to modify the regulations in the following key ways:
- Amending 200.1(x) to remove the restriction that all IHO candidates be licensed in New York State;
- Further amending 200.1(x) to reduce the number of years of experience and/or practice for attorney candidates from two years to one year;
- Further amending 200.1(x) to allow for the certification of non-attorney IHOs to hear complaints filed in New York City only;
- Amending 200.5(e) to require IHOs to maintain student confidentiality;
- Amending 200.5(j) to require IHOs to render decisions in a consistent format; and
- Amending 200.5(j)(3)(xii) to allow IHOs to conduct hearings by video conference.
- Allowing for the certification of non-attorney IHOs would raise serious concerns because:
- Adjudicating special education due process matters requires analyzing testimony and evidence, following the rules of civil procedure and motion practice, and ruling on objections, which a non-attorney would not be sufficiently equipped to do;
- An IHO must be familiar with and understand how to apply legal precedent, including case law governing the procedures pertaining to litigation in this field (e.g., Jose P. and L.V.);
- IDEA cases involve complicated and nuanced matters that require careful analysis;
- Pro se parents who are not being represented by an attorney themselves have a right to the good judgment of adjudicators who have legal backgrounds;
- Allowing non-attorney IHOs could result in a greater number of appeals, which would be costly for school districts.
- Allowing hearings to be conducted by videoconference would be beneficial in many ways:
- Greater efficiencies in the impartial hearing process, as has been observed with the emergency measures implemented during COVID-19;
- Reduction in the current backlog by streamlining cases;
- Convenience for parents and those needing to balance childcare or work responsibilities;
- Safety considerations as people would not have to attend hearings in person at the impartial hearing office, which may not yet have proper protocols to address COVID-19.