Opinion ID: 181161
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether the District Court Erred by Failing to Reverse the OAH Ruling for Defendant on Plaintiff's IDEA claim

Text: We give due weight to OAH decisions. Bd. of Educ. v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176, 206, 102 S.Ct. 3034, 73 L.Ed.2d 690 (1982). We give more deference to OAH decisions if the findings are thorough and careful. See Capistrano Unified Sch. Dist. v. Wartenberg by & Through Wartenberg, 59 F.3d 884, 891 (9th Cir.1995). However, the ultimate determination of whether an IEP was appropriate is reviewed de novo. Id. Plaintiffs argue that Defendant denied A.M. a free appropriate public education (FAPE) by not developing a procedurally and substantively valid IEP. See 20 U.S.C. § 1414(a)(5); Rowley, 458 U.S. at 188, 102 S.Ct. 3034 (stating that a FAPE includes an IEP). 1. Procedure Plaintiffs argue that Defendant denied A.M. a procedurally valid IEP by (a) failing to implement the 2005 IEP or develop and implement a new valid IEP within thirty days of A.M. transferring into the district; (b) failing to develop an adequate IEP; and (c) not allowing Plaintiffs to meaningfully participate in the IEP process.