Dr. Howard M. Knoff
Fort Myers, FL 33908
Office: 813-495-3318
Fax: 501-312-1493
A Licensed Psychologist (FL) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Dr. Howie Knoff has been an Expert Witness in innumerable Federal and State Court cases, as well as Due Process Hearings and mediations nationwide since 1993. These cases have focused on IDEA and Special Education Procedures, School Psychology Assessment/Intervention Disputes, Psychological Misdiagnoses and Mental Health Services, 504 Accommodations and Disability Rights, Disproportionality and Racial Discrimination/Equity, Emotionally Disturbed and Autistic Students, Seclusion and Restraints, Educational Malpractice, School Safety and Violence, Social-Emotional Learning and Positive Behavioral Supports, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Bullying and Harassment, Discipline and Corporal Punishment, IEP Disputes and Due Process Hearings, FAPE and LRE, Dispute Resolution and Mediation, Learning Disabilities and ADHD, Stress and Trauma.
Howie has been the Expert Witness for (a) two State Attorney Generals (one case on autism and corporal punishment; the other on state-wide seclusions and restraints); (b) many state Office of Disability Rights special education disputes; (c) cases involving the discrimination and abuse of Black students; and (d) other cases involving the physical segregation of students with autism across an entire school district. In the early 90s, he was the Expert Witness for four consecutive racial discrimination cases in Montgomery, AL in Federal Court. His research and testimony not only helped win those cases, but the Judge ruled that he would work with the District for the next two years relative to reparations. Two of those cases involved the precedent-setting Chris D. and Cory R. cases.
For a list of Howie's past Expert Witness cases, GO TO: http://bitly.ws/KGsw .
Howie received his Ph.D. from Syracuse University in School Psychology. There, he took special education law and advocacy courses from some of the historical figures responsible for the Education for All Handicapped Children's Act (see http://bitly.ws/KGrz). After working in the field as a school psychologist (MA, NY); he taught at two Research I Universities (SUNY-Albany and then primarily at the University of South Florida) for over 20 years in their doctoral School Psychology Programs--leaving as a tenured Full Professor with over 100 publications; he then worked in the Special Education Unit at the Arkansas Department of Education for 13 years as the Special Projects Coordinator for the state's Director of Special Education; and he has consulted in schools across the world for over 40 years.
He also was the 21st President of the National Association of School Psychologists which now represents over 25,000 school psychologists.
For example, Howie has consulted with a number of state departments of education, the Department of Defense Dependents School District during Desert Storm, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. An expert in school safety and student discipline, SEL and PBIS, and interventions with behaviorally challenging students, he was on the writing team that produced "Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools" for President Clinton in 1988 after the first wave of school shootings. Howie was awarded the Lightner Witmer Award from the American Psychological Association's School Psychology Division for early career contributions in 1990; he is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association's School Psychology Division; he is trained in crisis intervention, mediation processes, and trauma-based interventions; and he has received over $50 million dollars in Federal grants to work in the schools (see his vita at http://ml6.in/TwoAQ).
Frequently interviewed in all areas of the media and a Keynote Speaker at conferences across the world, Dr. Knoff has been on the NBC Nightly News, numerous television and radio talk shows, and he was highlighted on an ABC News' 20/20 program on "Being Teased, Taunted, and Bullied."
- Child Psychology
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Disability
- Education & Schools
- Emotional Trauma
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychology
- School Safety
- Sexual Abuse
- Stress
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Ph.D., School Psychology (Syracuse University)
Licensed Doctoral Psychologist, Florida (formerly New York, Arkansas)
Nationally Certified School Psychologist (formerly Massachusetts, New York, Florida) - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Past-President of the National Association of School Psychologists
Fellow, American Psychological Association (APA)--Division 16 (School Psychology) - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: International Keynoter, Workshop Presenter, In-Service Trainer
Tenured Full Professor, University of South Florida School Psychology Program (18 years)
Director of the University of South Florida School Psychology Program (12 years)
Federal State Improvement Grant Director, Arkansas Department of Education (13 years)
Assistant Professor, State University of New York-Albany's School Psychology Program (4 years) - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: 20+ Federal Court, State Court, and Due Process Hearings for cases across the country from Oregon to Massachusetts, Michigan to Florida
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: IDEA, LRE, FAPE, Special Education Disputes, Mental Health Misdiagnoses, ADA 504 Accommodations, Disability Rights, Disproportionality, Racial Discrimination, Emotionally Disturbed or Autistic Students, Seclusion & Restraints, School Safety & Violence, Bullying & Harassment, Discipline & Suspensions
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: 70%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: 30%
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: Well over a dozen Expert Witness reports and/or Depositions
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: Last month.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: 15+ Federal Court, State Court, and Due Process Hearings for cases across the country from Oregon to Massachusetts, Michigan to Florida
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: 15+ Federal Court, State Court, and Due Process Hearings for cases across the country from Oregon to Massachusetts, Michigan to Florida
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: Since 1993: Starting with Four Federal Court cases in Montgomery, Alabama representing African-American students for various offenses by the Montgomery City School District
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Legal/Litigation Case Reviews, Expert Witness reports and testimony, Due Process Hearing representation, Legal Advice relative case viability, Consulting, Research Reviews
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $400/hour.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $400/hour
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $600/hour (plus preparation time)
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $5,000 per day on-site (plus additional travel time and per diem expenses); $600/hour off-site (plus preparation time)
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: East Coast (Outside Florida): $2,500 for Outbound trip; No charge for return trip unless it involves extra days after the day of testimony; Other (West of the Mississippi): $2,500/day for Outbound and Return trip
_ _ _ _ _
Per Diem/Plane/Travel Expenses (Outside Florida or if Plane travel is Needed): $1,250 for the first day inclusive; $750/day thereafter, unless plane or hotel rates are excessive
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Driving within Florida: Federal/GSA Driving Mileage and Per Diem Rate; $500/day flat fee for all per diem expenses unless hotel rates are excessive
- Disproportionate Discipline Referrals for Students of Color and with Disabilities: Re-Thinking Changes in Policy and Restorative Justice Programs and Practices
- Seven Suggestions to Help Districts Avoid Special Education Hearings: A Short-Term Win May Be a Long-Term Loss
- Michigan Mother Guilty of Manslaughter in Her Son’s School Shooting. Should Parents Be More Accountable for their Children’s Behavior?
Available Upon Request