Opinion ID: 472144
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Independent Educational Evaluations

Text: 75 The defendants concede that 34 C.F.R. Sec. 104.35 (1985) requires an educational agency to conduct an evaluation of a handicapped pupil's needs before taking any action with respect to any significant change in placement. But they argue that the district court's injunction goes too far in compelling educational agencies to conduct such evaluations before recommending or effecting any significant change of ... program or services for such handicapped pupils as a result of behavior or conduct which was a manifestation of the pupil's [sic] handicaps. Injunction of the District Court Against the SFUSD p 10 (Dec. 2, 1983) (emphasis added), reprinted in C.R. item 272. 76 An examination of 34 C.F.R. Sec. 104.35 in its entirety reveals that the defendants' argument fails. The section provides in relevant part: 77 A recipient ... shall conduct an evaluation ... of any person who, because of handicap, needs ... special education or related services before taking any action with respect to the initial placement of the person in a regular or special education program and any subsequent significant change in placement. 78 34 C.F.R. Sec. 104.35(a) (1985). This language embraces any significant change in placement. We believe that such a change occurs when there is a significant change in program or services. Our interpretation is confirmed by 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.551 (1985), which provides: 79 (a) Each public agency shall insure that a continuum of alternative placements is available to meet the needs of handicapped children for special education and related services. 80 (b) The continuum required under paragraph (a) of this section must: 81