One of the big criticisms of special education law that I often hear from educators is that courts and hearing officers are too involved in the education of children with disabilities. IDEA, the argument goes, and in particular its reliance on procedural safeguards, especially the dread due process hearings, is resulting in judges and hearing officers having undue influence upon educational decisions.
A recent paper by Professor Samuel R. Bagenstos of the Washington University School of Law challenges this argument. Among his conclusions are what he calls an empirical finding that courts do not have much of a role in shaping special education. The paper is available here:
http://www.aei.org/docLib/20081010_Bagenstos3.15.08.pdf
The study finds that from 2000 to 2007, an average of only 374 federal lawsuits involving special education were filed in the United States. Considering that about 6.6 million children with disabilities receive special education nationwide. This number is remarkably low. By way of contrast, the author states that during a one year period ending on March 31, 2007, nearly 14,000 employment discrimination cases were filed in federal courts. As a result, the author concludes that the courts have little effect upon special education. He does mention the possibility of indirect effects, such as, the impact of school officials knowing that hearing officers and courts may be looking over their shoulders, but he concluded that the total effect is minimal.
I find this article fascinating for a number of reasons. I look forward to your response. This is the first of a series discussing some of the issues and concerns resulting from this article.
Great article! Pretty sad but true.
ReplyDeleteRead this article when you get a chance...pretty interesting stuff. Not sure it would always work:
ReplyDeletehttp://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MzFlN2ZmNzMxYWY3MGE5NmIyZTU2OWEyYWViZDhlNjc=&w=MA==
Thanks Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteJim Gerl
Sad but true. After going through two due process hearings I have found many things wrong with IDEA. Now I have to work on changing them.
ReplyDeleteThe truth though is that parents do not sue the districts because they cannot find lawyers to help represent them. The lawyers I have talked to refused to help me with a my two due process hearings because there is no money in it.
I was told that IDEA may be coming up for reauthorization in two years. WE need to get it changed so that it will help students get an education and enable parents the right to fight for their children.
One thing I forgot to mention. Class action suits are hard to file. Many parents do not want to get their district angry because of retaliation. I know we are told that district's cannot retaliate. But there is no law that stops them form doing it anyway. Then we have to argue after the damage has been done.
ReplyDelete