Source: https://www.okabletech.org/education-services/serc/due-process/due-process-hearings-frequently-asked-questions/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 13:54:14+00:00

Document:
What is a Due Process Complaint?
A Due Process Complaint is a form of alternative dispute resolution. It is an informal administrative hearing on a special education issue that is not agreed upon between a student’s parent (or an adult student), and the school district. An impartial Hearing Officer is assigned to hear testimony, receive evidence and render a decision. Before filing a due process complaint notice, parties are encouraged to use less formal means of resolving their differences, such as parent conference or mediation, whenever possible.
1. Who may file a Due Process Complaint?
2. What is the subject matter of a due process complaint?
3. What are the general time frames for a hearing?
When a party desires to request a due process hearing, the party must file a Due Process Complaint Notice. This Notice states all the issues that are to be discussed at the hearing and other information regarding the student. Upon receiving the Notice, the parties enter into a Resolution Session time period of 30 calendar days. If all matters are resolved in the Resolution Session, then the parties enter into a legally binding agreement and the matter does not proceed to hearing. If any issue remains at the end of the resolution time period, the due process hearing time frame begins to run and a decision on all remaining issues must be rendered within 45 calendar days or upon the proper extension of the time by the Hearing Officer.
The Resolution Session is mandatory unless both parties waive the time period in writing. If the LEA is unable to obtain the participation of the parent in the resolution meeting after reasonable efforts have been made and documented, the LEA may, at the conclusion of the 30-day period, request that the hearing officer dismiss the parent’s or adult student’s due process complaint. If the LEA fails to hold the resolution meeting within 15 days of receiving notice of a parent’s or adult student’s due process complaint notice or fails to participate in the resolution meeting, the parent may seek the intervention of the hearing officer to begin the due process hearing timeline. 34 CFR § 300.510(b)(4-5).
4. Can the hearing be expedited?
5. How can a due process complaint be filed?
Expedited Due Process Complaint Notice for LEA.
These forms are available on this website.
6. What information must be contained in a request for a due process hearing?
a. The name of the child, the address of the residence of the child (or available contact information in the case of a homeless child) and the name of the school the child is attending.
b. In the case of a homeless child or youth [within the meaning of Section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §11434a(2)], available contact information for the child and the name of the school the child is attending.
c. A description of the nature of the problem of the child relating to such proposed initiation or change, including facts relating to such problem.
7. What are the timelines for actions related to a request for a due process hearing?
An explanation of why the agency proposed or refused to take the action raised in the due process complaint.
A description of other options that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team considered and the reasons why those options were rejected.
A description of each evaluation procedure, assessment, record, or report the agency used as the basis for the proposed or refused action.
A description of the other factors that are relevant to the agency’s proposed or refused action.
b. Except as provided above in paragraph (a), the non-complaining party must, within ten (10) calendar days of receiving the due process complaint notice, send to the other party a response that specifically addresses the issues raised in the request for a due process complaint.
8. Who is an impartial Hearing Officer?
a. Not be an employee of the SEA or the LEA involved in the education or care of the child, or a person having a personal or professional interest that conflicts with the person’s objectivity in the hearing.
b. Possess knowledge of, and the ability to understand, the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); federal and state regulations pertaining to IDEA; and legal interpretations of IDEA by federal and state courts.
c. Possess the knowledge and ability to conduct hearings in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice.
9. What issues can be raised during the hearing?
10. What about issues in dispute not mentioned in the due process complaint notice?
a. The party may ask the other party to agree in writing that the issues can be raised during the hearing.
b. The party may seek to amend its request.
11. How can a party amend the Due Process Request Notice?
If a party files an amended notice, the timelines for the due process hearing restarts at the time the party files the amended notice, including the timeline for the resolution session.
12. Are there IDEA rules about the Hearing Officer’s decision?
Subject to 20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(3)(E)(ii), a decision made by a Hearing Officer must be made on substantive grounds based on a determination of whether the child received FAPE.
a. Impeded the child’s right to a FAPE.
b. Significantly impeded the parent’s opportunity to participate in the decision-making process regarding the provision of FAPE to the parent’s child.
Rule of construction – Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a Hearing Officer from ordering an LEA to comply with procedural requirements under 34 CFR § 300.536..
Rule of construction – Nothing in 20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(3)(E) shall be construed to affect the right of a parent to file a complaint with the SEA.
13. What are my rights during a hearing?
To be accompanied and advised by counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to the problems of children with disabilities.
To present evidence and confront, cross-examine, and compel the attendance of witnesses.
To obtain a written or, at the option of the parent, electronic, verbatim record of the hearing.
To obtain a written or, at the option of the parents, electronic, verbatim findings of fact and decisions.
To prohibit the introduction of any evidence at the hearing that has not been disclosed to the other party at least five (5) business days before the commencement of the hearing. The Hearing Officer will determine the disclosure timeline for an expedited due process hearing.
To ask for a Due Process Hearing Appeal review if you are in disagreement with the due process hearing decision or the expedited due process hearing decision.
To know the role of the Hearing Officer, which includes the responsibility to hear both sides and render a decision in keeping with all appropriate state and federal regulations.
To have the child who is the subject of the hearing present.
14. What if a party is not satisfied with the results of the hearing?
15. What about attorneys’ fees?
Under the IDEA, attorneys’ fees are never a proper subject of a due process hearing. There are circumstances where parents and/or school districts would be responsible to pay the attorneys’ fees for the other side.
To a prevailing SEA or LEA against the attorney of a parent, or against the parent, if the parent’s request for a due process hearing or subsequent cause of action was presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, to cause unnecessary delay, or to needlessly increase the cost of litigation.
16. How are fee awards determined?
17. Are there some services of an attorney for which fees cannot be awarded?
The offer is made within the time prescribed by Rule 68 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or, in the case of an administrative proceeding, at any time more than ten (10) calendar days before the proceeding begins.
The offer is not accepted within ten (10) calendar days.
The court finds that the relief finally obtained by the parent is not more favorable to the parent than the offer of settlement.
An award of attorneys’ fees and related costs, however, may be made to a parent who is the prevailing party and who was substantially justified in rejecting the settlement offer.
b. IEP Team Meetings. Attorneys’ fees may not be awarded relating to any meeting of the IEP team unless such meeting is convened as a result of an administrative proceeding or judicial action, or at the discretion of the State, for mediation. Reimbursement of attorneys’ fees shall not be permitted for services rendered regarding a mediation that is conducted prior to filing a due process hearing.
18. Are there circumstances under which a Court could reduce the amount of attorneys’ fees awarded to a party?
a. The parent, or the parent’s attorney, during the course of the action or proceeding, unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the controversy.
b. The amount of the attorneys’ fees otherwise authorized to be awarded unreasonably exceeds the hourly rate prevailing in the community for similar services by attorneys of reasonably comparable skill, reputation, and experience.
c. The time spent and legal services furnished were excessive considering the nature of the action or proceeding.
d. The attorney representing the parent did not provide to the LEA the appropriate information in the notice of the due process complaint.
None of these reductions in attorneys’ fees above applies to any action or proceeding if the court finds that the other party unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the action or proceeding or there was a violation of this section.
19. Are there alternatives to filing a due process complaint?
Besides a due process complaint, two other mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution are available. Rather than file a due process complaint, any party may file a formal complaint with the SEA (Oklahoma State Department of Education – Special Education Services) or may request mediation to resolve a dispute.
a. Formal complaint. A formal complaint must be in writing and submitted to the SEA. A formal complaint is appropriate when a party is seeking systemic relief. A form for filing a formal complaint may be found at the Web site for the SEA, www.sde.ok.gov/sde/idea-complaint. The IDEA Complaint documents are on the right side of that page.
b. Mediation. Mediation is an effective way to help individuals who disagree, discuss the problem and come to a mutually acceptable resolution. The mediator does not judge or decide, but instead helps the parties find their own common ground. Mediation is not a substitute for legal help. No legal advice will be given by the mediator. There is no charge to either party. Participants retain their rights to due process hearings, court action, or filing complaints with appropriate agencies. The mediation sessions may be held within two weeks after a request for mediation has been submitted. Mediation may not delay due process timelines.
A parent or a school district representative the Special Education Resolution Center to ask that a mediation session be arranged. Call toll-free (888) 267-0028 or (918) 270-1849. The forms to request a mediation are under the mediation section of this website.
B. Filing a Due Process Complaint Notice.
b. The student’s date of birth.
c. The address of the residence of the student and parent and the name of the school the child is attending. In the case of a homeless child, [within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)] available contact information for the child and the name of the school the child is attending.
d. A description of the nature of the problem of the child relating to such proposed initiation or change, including facts relating to such problems.
e. A proposed resolution of the problem to the extent known and available to the party at the time.
Due Process Complaint Notice – Parent, or an Expedited Due Process Complaint Notice – Parent.
for assignment of an impartial Hearing Officer.
b. The address of the residence of the student and parent and the name of the school the child is attending. In the case of a homeless child [within the meaning of 42 §11434a(2)] available contact information for the child and the name of the school the child is attending.
c. A description of the nature of the problem of the child relating to such proposed initiation or change, including facts relating to such problems.
d. A proposed resolution of the problem to the extent known and available to the party at the time.

References: § 300
 §11434
 § 1415
 § 300
 § 1415
 § 11434
 §11434