Opinion ID: 705962
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Adequacy of Lionel's Current IEP

Text: 35 The second inquiry in determining whether a state educational agency has complied with the IDEA is directed to the adequacy of the IEP developed for the disabled child. Rowley, 458 U.S. at 206-07, 102 S.Ct. at 3051-52. To comply with the IDEA, the IEP must be reasonably calculated to enable the disabled child to receive educational benefits. Id. 36 Based upon Lionel's educational history in Idaho and the expert testimony received at the evidentiary hearing, the district court concluded that Lionel required intensive ASL training in a total immersion environment. The court found that Lionel is at a critical stage for developing communicative skills. The court adopted expert testimony to the effect that after age 15, there is a diminishing desire and capacity to acquire new language skills. Therefore, the court concluded, Lionel requires immediate and intensive instruction in ASL. The IEP developed by the Parker School District would place Lionel in such an environment. The Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind provides intensive ASL instruction that will be constantly reinforced by instructors and peers with whom Lionel will interact throughout the day. Through such a program Lionel can hope to acquire the language skills required to receive educational benefits from the mainstream classroom environment and to communicate effectively with friends and family outside of the classroom. We therefore conclude that Lionel's current IEP is reasonably calculated to result in educational benefit to Lionel.