Opinion ID: 778697
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard of review

Text: 19 Although we typically review a district court's grant of summary judgment de novo, the standard of review in the present case differs from that governing the typical case. See Bd. of Educ. of LaGrange Sch. Dist. v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ., 184 F.3d 912, 914-15 (7th Cir.1999). Here, because the district court did not hear additional evidence beyond what was in the administrative record, [t]he motion for summary judgment is simply the procedural vehicle for asking the judge to decide the case on the basis of the administrative record. Heather S., 125 F.3d at 1052. Accordingly, despite being termed summary judgment, the district court's decision is based on the preponderance of the evidence, see 20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(2), and not on whether there are any genuine issues of material fact. However, because courts lack special expertise in the area of educational policy, we must give due weight to the results of the administrative decision and should not substitute our own notions of sound educational policy for those of the school authorities whose decisions we review. Bd. of Educ. of Murphysboro v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ., 41 F.3d 1162, 1166 (7th Cir.1994). 20 If there are conflicting decisions on an issue between the two levels of a state administrative review, we must defer to the final decision of the state authorities. See LaGrange, 184 F.3d at 915. Thus, in the present case, we must give deference to the decision by the BSEA. Further, because the district court did not hear any evidence beyond what was presented to the administrative judges, we must provide the usual deference that reviewing courts owe agencies when judicial review is limited to the administrative record. Sch. Dist. of Wis. Dells v. Z.S., 295 F.3d 671, 675 (7th Cir.2002). Finally, on appeal, Mrs. Todd bears the burden of proof as the party challenging the outcome of the BSEA's decision. See Patricia P. v. Bd. of Educ. of Oak Park, 203 F.3d 462, 466-67 (7th Cir.2000).