Special Education Due Process Hearing Officer Decisions in Florida: What Are the Issues?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 90
  In Roundtable Session: Special Education and the Law: Global Perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine Florida’s special education dispute resolution process over a five year period with particular attention dedicated to the special education hearing officer due process decisions. We examine closely attorney representation of district and parent, special education categories in these cases, legal issues filed, and outcomes of these decisions. Major findings include: The decisions favored school district 5:1, the most common special education category was autism, and the most common legal issue was FAPE, followed by FAPE with procedural violations, placement and eligibility, and tuition reimbursement. Additionally, parents had attorney representation in 50% of the cases compared to 99.12% for school districts.

Authors

• Zorka Karanxha, University of South Florida

• Michelle Henry, University of South Florida