The Effect of Translator Use in Special Education Due Process Hearing Decision Outcomes

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eighteen
  In Roundtable Session: Law and Society: Evaluating the Impact of Education Law (Table 10)

Abstract

This research examined special education due process decisions and the relationship between the use of a translator and the prevailing party. We situated due process hearings in the context of individual wealth by examining counsel representation, and district wealth by calculating the district free/reduced priced meal (FRPM) rates. An OLS regression (n = 845) of the binary dependent variable "student received anything" (student prevailed, there was a split decision, versus district or no party prevailed) on indicators for translator, lawyer representation and student plaintiff, as well as the enrollment and the percent of the district qualifying for FRPMs found that needing a translator was associated with a 7.2% decrease in the likelihood of the student obtaining any favorable outcome.

Authors

• Tiina Itkonen, California State University - Channel Islands
  Presenting Author

• Bryan Tomlin, California State University - Channel Islands
  Non-Presenting Author

• Manuel G. Correia, California State University - Channel Islands
  Presenting Author

• Luis Sanchez, California State University - Channel Islands
  Non-Presenting Author