Opinion ID: 2461643
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The IDEA Due-Process Hearing

Text: ¶ 14 The IDEA due-process hearing is a formal administrative-complaint process and is available to parties in limited situations. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(f). These situations are as follows: (1) when any party presents a complaint with respect to any matter relating to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a free appropriate public education to such child, [10] and (2) when there is a complaint with respect to the placement of a child in an alternative-educational setting. [11] ¶ 15 At the IDEA due-process hearing, the parties may be represented by counsel and may present evidence, confront and cross-examine witnesses, and compel their attendance. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(h). A hearing officer issues findings and renders a decision with respect to the complaint, which are written and made available to the public. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(h)(4)(A). The hearing officer can order remedies such as compensatory education to make up for the educational services the child should have received in the first place (e.g., extra tutoring or summer school), [12] increased special education services (e.g., more time with a speech therapist or physical therapist), [13] enforcement of the child's IEP, [14] attorney fees, [15] and reimbursement of the costs of a child's private special education services if the child had not received required special education and related services through public school. [16] ¶ 16 The due-process hearing must be conducted by the state educational agency or by the local educational agency. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(1)(A). If the due-process hearing is conducted by a local education agency, any party aggrieved by the agency's findings and decision rendered in such a hearing may appeal the findings and decision to the state educational agency. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(g).