Opinion ID: 770326
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: There are two ways to bring an IDEA challenge.

Text: 6 States that receive IDEA funds must establish and maintain procedures . . . to ensure that children with disabilities and their parents are guaranteed procedural safeguards with respect to the provision of free appropriate public education. 20 U.S.C. S 1415(a). The IDEA itself provides for an impartial due process hearing process. 20 U.S.C. S 1415(f)(1). 2 That process includes the right to counsel, the right to present evidence, and the right to present, confront, and compel the attendance of witnesses. See 20 U.S.C. S 1415(h). Additionally, the parent of a disabled child has the right to appeal the final decision of the administrative agency to the district court. See 20 U.S.C. S 1415(g) & (i). 7 An impartial due process hearing, however, is not the only way in which the parents of a disabled child can force their school district to comply with the IDEA. Parents also can file a complaint pursuant to a state's CRP. Unlike the impartial due process hearing that is expressly provided in S 1415 and is detailed in the regulations promulgated pursuant to it, see 34 C.F.R. SS 300.508-.513, the CRP is described only in the regulations, see 34 C.F.R. SS 300.660-.662. 3 8 Under the CRP regulations, a State Educational Agency (SEA) must carry out an independent on-site investigation, give the complainant an opportunity to supply additional information about the allegations, determine whether the school district is violating the IDEA and, within 60 days of the filing of the complaint, issue a written decision containing factual findings, conclusions, and the reasons for the final decision. See 34 C.F.R. S 300.661. In addition, the SEA's decision must [i]nclude procedures for effective implementation of the SEA's final decision, including, if needed, (i) [t]echnical assistance activities; (ii) [n]egotiations; and (iii) [c]orrective actions to achieve compliance.  34 C.F.R. S 300.661(b)(2). 9