Special Ed Hearing Officer Qualifications - Part IV

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Last week we discussed how the new qualifications for special education hearing officers pertain to the education and training of hearing officers. This week I'm going to look at a sample of a bunch of recent court decisions that have looked at the due process hearing system.

As I have mentioned in each post in this series, please note that I have a number of potential biases here. First, I am a hearing officer and/or a mediator for four states. Second, I do a lot of special ed law consulting for states. Third, I have conducted hearing officer trainings at national conferences, at regional trainings and for a number of individual states. I have trained hearing officers from every state. I have definite opinions here and my business interests could color my thinking. Although I do not believe that these interests affect my opinions, please keep this disclosure in mind.

The cases below show that state departments of education are often winding up in court because of concerns about their due process systems. While most states have escaped adverse consequences - other than the costs of litigation- the large numbers of cases definitely signals a trend.


Here are some of the key decisions handed down in calendar year 2009 involving state education hearing systems and related decisions:

Keene v. Zelman 53 IDELR 5 (6th Cir. 7/29/9) (unpublished) Parents brought a class action against Ohio SEA alleging illegal policies including improper HO training. Also alleged was that HOs were told to do nothing for the first 30 days and bill no more than one hour during that time. Sixth Circuit approved settlement that included an agreement to retrain HOs and an award of $81,000 vs SEA; Quatroche v. East Lynne Bd of Educ 604 F.Supp.2d 96, 53 IDELR 96 (D. Conn. 3/31/9) If allegation had been that an SEA system of HO training affected a number of dp hearings, parent would state claim for a systemic violation. Here the allegation was only one dp complaint, therefore no systemic violation; Chavez ex rel Chavez v. Bd of Educ of Tularosa Municip Schs 52 IDELR 229 (D.NM 2/24/9) SEA denied FAPE to student but parents not prevailing party; Emma L v. Eastin 52 IDELR 43 (N.D. Calif 2/24/9) Where LEA did miserable job of providing FAPE, and SEA is ultimately responsible for FAPE, court held SEA to an enhanced role; Delaware Valley Sch Dist v PW by James & Patricia W 52 IDELR 192 (M.D. Penna 5/5/9) Although parents may sue SEA for LEAs failure to provide FAPE, the LEA may not sue the SEA for indemnification and contribution under IDEA; DW v. Delaware Valley Sch Dist 109 LRP 80026 (M.D. Penna 12/29/9) Complaint alleging that SEA failed to properly monitor or supervise the LEA with respect to the provision of FAPE to a student stated a cause of action against the SEA; Stengle v. Office of Dispute Resolution 109 LRP 24455 (M.D. Penna 4/27/9) SEA did not violate First Amendment by cancelling contract of HO who who wrote articles about issues pending before her as HO; CG v. Commonwealth of Penna, Dept of Educ 53 IDELR 150 (M.D. Penna 9/29/9) Dist court certified a class action re the manner that SEA distributes IDEA funds; King v. Pioneer Regional Educ Service Agency 53 IDELR 196 (Georgia Ct App 11/5/9) State appeals court ruled that SEA’s general supervisory responsibilities under IDEA do not include being subject to tort-like damages; Independent Sch Dist No. 12 v Minnesota Dept of Educ 767 N.W.2d 748, 52 IDELR 265 (Minn Ct App 6/23/9)

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