The latest National Assessment of IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) reveals that the number of due process hearing requests stayed the same from 2003 until 2008, but the number of requests that actually proceeded to hearing declined sharply, by more than fifty percent.
Why this change? Are parents and schools better able to settle disputes before resorting to a hearing? Or are parents and schools just not able to afford the cost of litigation?
Whatever the reason, it is important for parents to understand that most disputes, nationally and in Massachusetts, do not result in a hearing decision. Learn more about special education dispute resolution options in Massachusetts here.
If you are in a dispute with your child's school district and considering filing a due process request, contact Boston area special education lawyer Lillian E. Wong today.
Due Process Hearings - National Trend