The Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals has released its statistics for 2009. The statistics reveal that most disputes with school districts result in a resolution long before a hearing decision is issued, and if the dispute reaches the hearing stage the school district is likely to prevail. 846 cases voluntarily participated in mediation and 84.5% ended in a legally binding agreement. 609 parities requested hearings, but the vast majority were resolved before a decision was issued. Only 48 hearing decisions were issued and the school district prevailed outright in 75% of the time, the parents only prevailed 12.5%, and 10.5% of the time mixed relief was granted.
See the complete report here.
If you need help advocating for your child's special education rights, contact the Boston area law office of Massachusetts special education lawyer Lillian E. Wong.
BSEA releases 2009 Statistics