Opinion ID: 736300
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Department of Education Position

Text: 26 As the foregoing decisions all acknowledged, the Department of Education, through its Office of Special Education Programs, has consistently stated its position, in policy letters and memoranda, that parentally-placed students attending private schools do not have an individual entitlement to services. Letter to Burch, 23 IDELR 560, 562 (1995); Letter to Anonymous, 23 IDELR 650, 652 (1995). Rather, the regulations authorize State and local educational agencies to make determinations as to the number of private school children with disabilities who will be served, and about the nature and extent of services to be provided. Letter to Burch, 23 IDELR at 562. The District argues that the agency's interpretation is reasonable and, as such, is entitled to substantial deference.