Opinion ID: 77196
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The ALJ

Text: 64 Should parents elect to challenge an IEP, they are entitled to a due process hearing before an ALJ. See 20 U.S.C. §§ 1412(a)(6)(A) & 1415(a)-( o ); 34 C.F.R. § 300.403(b). The Supreme Court has established a two-part test to determine whether a student has been denied a FAPE. Rowley, 458 U.S. at 206-07, 102 S.Ct. at 3051. 8 65 Under the Rowley test, the ALJ must first determine whether the School Board complied with the procedures set forth in the [IDEA]. Id. at 206; 102 S.Ct. at 3051. If the School Board complied with the procedural requirements of the IDEA (i.e., it properly formed an IEP team and gave the parents sufficient involvement in the IEP formation), then the ALJ must determine whether the IEP was reasonably calculated to enable the child to receive educational benefits. Id. at 207, 102 S.Ct. at 3051. 66 If the ALJ determines that the School Board complied with the IDEA's procedural requirements and the proposed IEP provided the child with the necessary services, then the State will have provided the child with a FAPE. Id. If, however, the ALJ determines that the School Board failed to comply with the IDEA's procedural requirements or proposed an inadequate IEP, the ALJ may order the Board to reimburse the parents for the cost of that enrollment. 20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(10)(C)(ii); see 34 C.F.R. § 300.403(c). Furthermore, the ALJ may order the parents to be reimbursed for any year in which the School Board failed to provide the child with a FAPE. See Burlington, 471 U.S. at 370, 105 S.Ct. at 2003. 67 Having outlined the ALJ's proper role, we next discuss the district court's role under the IDEA.