AD. vs. Souderton Area School District

This is a redacted version of the original decision. Select details have been removed from the
decision to preserve anonymity of the student. The redactions do not affect the substance of
the document.

PENNSYLVANIA
SPECIAL EDUCATION HEARING OFFICER

DECISION

Child’s Name: A.D.

Date of Birth: [redacted]

Dates of Hearing:
June 16, 2011
July 7, 2011
August 1,2011

CLOSED HEARING

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS

Date Record Closed: August 12, 2011
Date of Decision: August 26,2011

Hearing Officer: Cathy A. Skidmore, M.Ed., J.D.

 

INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

ISSUES

1. Whether the District identified Student in all areas of suspected disability;
2. Whether the District provided Student with FAPE for the end of the 2008-09
school year and the entire 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, including
extended school year (ESY) services;
3. Whether the District’s proposed program for the 2011-12 school year is
appropriate for Student;
4. If Student was denied FAPE for any of those time periods, is Student entitled to
compensatory education; and
5. Is the Mother entitled to further reimbursement for the IEE?

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Student is an elementary school-aged child who is a resident of the District for purposes
of educational programming. Student is eligible for special education on the basis of a
specific learning disability. (Notes of Testimony (N.T.) 50-52; Parent Exhibit (P) 1, P
12; School District Exhibit (S) 2, S 25)

2. Student was first evaluated by another school district in September 2007 after a year in
private kindergarten. This evaluation responded to a recommendation by a child study
team noting Student’s academic and attention struggles, and also followed a July 2007
private psychological evaluation conducted due to parental concerns over Student’s
difficulty concentrating and focusing attention, at which time Student was diagnosed with
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (N.T. 58-60, 199-200; P 1, P 4 at 1A-
2; S 2)

3. Cognitive assessment in that initial evaluation revealed average scores on all subtests of
the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and a full scale
IQ of 97. Assessment of Student’s neuropsychological development reflected scores
below expected levels with respect to some of the subtests within the Attention/Executive
Functions and Language domains. (P 1; S 2)

4. An occupational therapy (OT) evaluation was also conducted, revealing some
weaknesses but overall average scores on the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor
Integration (Beery VMI). (N.T. 326-27, 331; P 1; S 2)

5. Based upon the evaluation which included administration of the Woodcock-Johnson
Tests of Achievement -Third Edition (WJ-III-ACH), the other school district identified
Student as eligible for special education based on a specific learning disability in reading,
mathematics, and written expression, as well as a speech/language impairment. OT
consultation was also recommended. (P 1; S 2)

6. That school district developed an Individualized Education Program (IEP) addressing
reading, mathematics, written expression, and speech/language support. Student’s
Parents participated in developing the IEP. (P 2)

7. Student and Student’s family moved to the District in the summer of 2008 just before the
2008-09 school year began. The District convened an IEP meeting and developed an IEP
for Student for that school year which was second grade for Student. This IEP noted
needs with respect to reading decoding and fluency, written expression, and mathematics
computation. Annual goals addressed reading (decoding, comprehension, sight words,
and fluency), written expression, and mathematics computation. Student was placed in
part-time learning support for Language Arts and Mathematics. (N.T. 65-67; S 8)

8. As in the prior school district, Student was provided consultative occupational therapy
(OT) during the 2008-09 school year. (N.T. 297-99, 325-28; S 8 at 14)

9. At a meeting in February 2009, the District and the Parents discussed Student’s
difficulties with reading and some behavioral concerns. (N.T. 76-77; P 29; S 10, S 11)

10. During that 2008-09 school year, Student exhibited a lack of focus, impulsivity, and
difficulty remaining in control in unstructured situations as well as at home. The Parents
had Student evaluated by Student’s pediatrician who agreed with the prior ADHD
diagnosis, and made a written recommendation in June 2009 that Student try medication
to improve Student’s success at school. The pediatrician repeated this recommendation in August 2009 after a meeting with both Parents. (N.T. 73-75, 79-81, 83-84; P 4 at 3, P 29; S 10, S 11, S 13)

11. Progress reports at the end of the 2008-09 school year reflected a need for supports to
work independently, manage time wisely, follow directions and rules, use legible
handwriting, and exercise self-control, as well as to organize materials and work product.
Student did show appropriate progress in other areas such as seeking assistance when
needed, completing work on time, and working collaboratively, as well as meeting state
standards for content area classes. (S 13)

12. Student was determined to be not eligible for extended school year (ESY) services for the
summer of 2009. (N.T. 82-83; S 8)

13. Student started third grade at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year. Student’s Mother
requested that the District evaluate Student in September 2009 and provided consent.
(N.T. 86-87; S 14, S 17)

14. An administration of the WJ-III-ACH in October 2009 reflected scores generally below
grade level (second grade) with scores on the Word Attack and Punctuation and
Capitalization subtests well below grade level (1.3 and 1.7 grade equivalency,
respectively).4(P 6)

15. An IEP was developed in October of 2009. Needs were noted in reading comprehension,
reading fluency, written expression, mathematics computation, and mathematics
applications. Annual goals addressed reading fluency (from a baseline of 30 words
correct per minute to a goal of 90 words correct per minute at a second grade level) and
comprehension (from level K at middle second grade level to level N at middle third
grade level), written expression (grade level), and mathematics computation and
applications (from a baseline of 7 digits correct per minute at a third grade level to 16
digits correct per minute at a third grade level). Student would receive special education
in the learning support classroom for Language Arts and Mathematics. Student’s Father
approved the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP). (N.T. 88, 92-
93; P 7, P 8; S 19, S 20, S 21)

16. At the time of the October 2009 IEP meeting, the occupational therapist recommended
that those services be discontinued on the basis of observations of Student and review and
assessment of handwriting samples. Student’s handwriting was considered to be
functional and legible at that time. (N.T. 300-01, 303, 312, 334; P 7; S 21)

17. Student’s Mother had Student evaluated by a pediatric neurologist in the fall of 2009.
Student was diagnosed for the first time with dyslexia in addition to ADHD. (N.T. 95-
96, 98, 211-12; P 9)4The WJ-III-ACH scores in the prior school district’s initial evaluation did not report grade equivalency scores. (P 1)

18. The District issued its re-evaluation report (RR) in November 2009. Student’s Mother
noted that Student continued to exhibit difficulty focusing and paying attention, and
struggled academically particularly in the areas of reading and written expression.
Student’s Parents provided input through a caregiver questionnaire as well as the Conners
Third Edition Behavior Rating Scales. Student’s Mother’s ratings indicated very elevated
scores with respect to Inattention, Learning Problems, Executive Function, ADHD
Inattentive Type, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder; and elevated scores with respect to
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity and Aggression. Student’s Father’s ratings did not reveal any
elevated scores. Student’s teacher’s scores were in the very elevated range with respect
to Learning Problems and Peer Relations and in the elevated range with respect to ADHD
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. (N.T. 101-04, 107, 565-70, 574-75; P 12; S 15, S 17, S 18, S 25)

19. Assessments administered for the November 2009 RR included the WISC-IV, on which
Student attained a full scale IQ of 90, in the average range. The District also
administered several subtests from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests – Third
Edition (WIAT-III), revealing scores in the extremely low to borderline range in all areas
except Sentence Combining. (P 12; S 25)

20. The District’s school psychologist observed Student in the learning support classroom
and the school counselor observed Student in a science classroom. Student was generally
attentive and was easily redirected when momentarily distracted in both classes. (P 12; S 25)

21. Student’s needs identified in the RR related to reading including early reading skills and
decoding; working memory; processing information; written expression; and
mathematics calculation. The RR concluded that Student continued to demonstrate a
specific learning disability in basic reading skill, reading fluency, mathematics
calculation, and written expression. Student’s Father agreed with the learning disability
determination. (P 12; S 25)

22. Student’s IEP team convened again at the end of November 2009. Student’s mathematics
goals were modified to reflect probes at the second grade level rather than the third grade
level as in the prior IEP, but otherwise went unchanged. Student was determined to be
not eligible for extended school year (ESY) programming in 2010. Student’s Mother
approved the NOREP. (N.T. 105-09; P 10, P 11; S 27)

23. Shortly after that December 2009 IEP meeting, the District was provided with reports
from the pediatrician and the private pediatric neurologist from earlier in the year. (N.T.
111-12, 583-87; P 36; S 29, S 30)

24. In the spring of 2010, Student’s teacher mentioned to the occupational therapist that
Student’s handwriting had declined in quality. The occupational therapist assessed
Student and provided some interventions and supports. (N.T. 303-04, 341-42)

25. Progress monitoring reports for June of 2010 reflected that Student was reading 80-92
words correct per minute on second grade fluency probes (an increase from a baseline of 70 words correct per minute at that level in November 2009); was reading Level M
independently but had difficulty with comprehension particularly with inferential
questions (an improvement from a baseline at level K in November 2009); correctly
solved 12-14 mathematics application problems in eight minutes on probes at a second
grade level (an increase from 9-13 correct in March 2010); and remained relatively stable
on second grade mathematics computation probes (compared to March 2010). Student
continued to struggle on all domains of the District’s grade-level writing rubric but
benefited from use of a graphic organizer. (S 39)

26. Student’s spring 2010 scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
were in the proficient range in Mathematics and in the below basic range in Reading. (P 34 at 1-2)

27. Student’s Mother took Student to a private learning center for an evaluation in August
2010. The results of that evaluation were shared with the District. Student did not attend
any tutoring sessions at the learning center after its evaluation. (N.T. 116-19, 230-31; P 13)

28. Student started fourth grade at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year. The District
uses Read 180 as its reading program for most students in special education from fourth
grade on, including Student. The Read 180 Program is a multisensory program which
uses leveled texts based on reading level and provides opportunities for teacher modeling,
small group and individual instruction, and has a computer component. Read 180
addresses reading comprehension, reading fluency, and spelling. (N.T. 644-45, 648-49, 653-54, 689-96)

29. The Mother requested in September 2010 that OT resume for Student to address
Student’s fine motor difficulties, and consented to an OT re-evaluation. Student’s teacher
had also noticed that Student’s letter formation was overly large. The occupational
therapist determined that Student again exhibited needs for OT with respect to
handwriting (spatial orientation of written work and spacing between words) and
keyboarding. (N.T. 119-22, 302-12, 662-63; P 14, P 16, P 36 p. 8; S 32, S 37; S 38)

30. An IEP meeting convened in November 2010. It was agreed that OT would be added as
a related service, both direct and consultative. Student was determined to be not eligible
for ESY services in 2011. (N.T. 124-31, 134-35, 313-14, 317-18, 588-94; S 35, S 37, S 38)

31. The IEP team determined that Student’s needs continued to include reading
comprehension and fluency, written expression, and mathematics computation and
applications, as well as legible written work. (P 16)

32. Annual goals in the November 2010 IEP included reading fluency (101 words correct per
minute at a second grade level from a baseline of 67-72); reading comprehension at a
beginning fourth grade level; written expression at grade level; and mathematics problem
solving and computation at a third grade level. A number of program modifications and
items of specially designed instruction addressed Student’s need for support in spelling,

Organizational skills (checklists of steps and assistance with assignments), attention
(preferential seating and positive reinforcement), and OT. (P 16)

33. Student’s Father approved the NOREP issued following the November 2010 IEP
meeting. Student’s Mother did not approve the NOREP and requested mediation. (S 36)

34. Around the time of that November 2010 IEP meeting, Student’s Mother requested an
independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense. The District agreed to the
IEE. (N.T. 136-39; P 36 at 24-25; S 40, S 42)

35. The IEE was conducted in January 2011 and a report issued. The independent evaluator
administered, among other assessments, the WISC-IV, WIAT-III, Beery VMI, and
Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (C-TOPP). She also obtained rating
scales for the Behavior Assessment System for Children – Second Edition (BASC-2). (P 19; S 44)

36. On the WISC-IV in January 2011, Student’s full scale IQ was determined to be 87, in the
low average range, but the General Ability Index (GAI) score, which the evaluator
determined was a better estimate of Student’s overall cognitive potential, was 93, in the
average range. (P 19)

37. The C-TOPP administered for the IEE revealed significant weaknesses in phonological
awareness and below average scores on the phonological memory and rapid naming
subtests. This evaluator concurred with the dyslexia diagnosis. (P 19)

38. On the WIAT-III, Student’s scores were in the below average to borderline/poor range on
all subtests on the Oral Language, Reading, and Written Expression composites. Student
achieved average scores on all of the subtests on the Mathematics composites except with
respect to subtraction, which was below average. Student’s Total Achievement score was
in the borderline/poor range. (P 19; S 44)

39. Student’s score on the Beery VMI was in the borderline to poor range revealing difficulty
with spacing, symbol orientation, and graphomotor functioning. (P 19; S 44)

40. The independent evaluator obtained information from four of Student’s teachers through
a rating scale and checklist she developed. The teachers reported that Student, at times,
had difficulty with attention and remaining focused, requiring redirection, and also
needed directions to be repeated. Individual and small group instruction were noted to be
helpful to Student. (N.T. 383-84; S 34)

41. Behaviorally, the BASC-2 rating scales completed by both of Student’s Parents and a
teacher revealed teacher scores in the At-Risk range with respect to School Problems, the
Behavior Index, and Adaptive Skills; scores in the Clinically Significant range by
Student’s Mother with respect to Adaptive Skills; and scores in the At-Risk range by
Student’s Father with respect to Adaptive Skills. (P 19; S 44)

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 8 of 17

42. The evaluator who conducted the IEE made a number of recommendations for Student’s
educational program. She opined that the reading program was appropriate but did not
“go[] far enough” to address Student’s reading needs. Her recommendations focused on
improving Student’s phonological processing, basic reading skills, reading fluency,
spelling, and written expression, and also made suggestions for assistive technology
(AT). She specifically recommended Wilson Reading System programs and set forth a
number of suggestions to address Student’s ADHD. (P 19; S 44)

43. The evaluator who completed the IEE concluded that Student was eligible for special
education on the basis of a specific learning disability in basic reading skills, reading
fluency, and written expression; a speech/language impairment; and an other health
impairment (OHI) based on ADHD. She used Student’s full scale IQ score to conduct a
discrepancy analysis because it was a more stringent measure, and using the GAI would
have resulted in an even larger discrepancy between Student’s cognitive ability and
achievement. (N.T. 409-10; P 19; S 44)

44. The IEE was shared with the District upon its completion. (N.T. 152-53)

45. Student was evaluated by another private psychologist in February 2011 to determine
whether Student should be given a trial of medication for the ADHD. This psychologist
concluded that such a trial was appropriate and made a written recommendation in a
report which was then shared with the District. (N.T. 154-56; P 21)

46. An administration of the Test of Written Language (TOWL) in March 2011 reflected that
Student continued to have difficulty with spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. (N.T.
675-76; P 23 at 8-9; S 49)

47. In the spring of 2011, Student started taking medication for ADHD which significantly
improved Student’s inattention, particularly with doing homework. (N.T. 85-86, 148-51,
522)

48. Student’s IEP team convened in March 2011 to revise Student’s IEP and discuss the
results and recommendations of the IEE. This IEP included some of the information
from the IEE as well as recent assessments by the District. Needs were identified as
reading comprehension, reading fluency and decoding, encoding, written expression,
legibility of written work, mathematics computation and mathematics applications. (N.T.
158-59, 597-98, 600; P 23; S 47, S 50, S 51, S 52)

49. The March 2011 IEP modified the annual goals as follows. The reading fluency goal was
changed to 149 words correct per minute on a third grade probe (from 101 words correct
per minute on a second grade probe in the prior IEP, with a new baseline) and more detail
was provided on the writing goal; in most other respects, the goals were not changed.
Numerous program modifications and items of specially designed instruction addressed
needs for organizing written work; organizing and recording assignments; understanding
directions; staying on task; processing time to organize Student’s thoughts; chunking of
multi-step assignments and checklists of steps; repetition and practice; “hands-on”
instruction; preferential seating; small group instruction for reading, writing, and

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 9 of 17
mathematics; direct, systematic, multisensory phonetic instruction for reading and
spelling; extended time for and/or alternative assessments; scribing for lengthy written
responses; prompts and cues; and OT. For organization, a chart was developed to assist
Student in being prepared for class and to organize homework, and Student’s agenda was
to be checked regularly. (N.T. 677-80; P 23; S 52)

50. Student began the System 44 program for reading decoding in March 2011, which
supplemented the Read 180 instruction. System 44 and Read 180 together provide
multisensory, direct, explicit, systematic instruction to address reading fluency and
phonics including decoding. Student mastered 20 of the 160 topics in the System 44
program between March 2011 and the end of the 2010-11 school year. In the Read 180
program, Student’s Lexile level increased from 421 in November 2010 to 635 in June
2011, which was within the proficiency range for Student’s grade level. (N.T. 644-45,
648-51, 689-97, 701; P 31; S 57)

51. Student was determined to be ineligible for ESY for the summer of 2011. (N.T. 164; P 23; S 52)

52. Student’s Mother disapproved the NOREP of March 29, 2011 and filed a due process
complaint on April 18, 2011. Student’s Father approved the NOREP. (N.T. 172-73, 276- 77; P 24, P 26; S 53)

53. In April 2011, the evaluator who conducted the IEE reviewed the March 2011 proposed
IEP and reiterated many of her previous recommendations such as the Wilson Reading
System, and provided criticism of that IEP. She also suggested Student attend a specific
private school. 5(P 25; S 54)

54. The District funded the IEE in full, but did not reimburse the Mother for fees incurred for
the independent evaluator’s consultation with the Mother and her counsel regarding the
March 2011 IEP, or the supplemental report in April 2011. The April 2011 supplement
was not part of the IEE; it was submitted to the Mother’s counsel and was not directly
provided to the District. (N.T. 383, 418-19; P 43; S 54)

55. Student’s Mother applied for Student’s admission to that private school and Student was
accepted. However, Student did not, and will not, attend the private school placement.
(N.T. 174-76)

56. Progress reporting for March-June 2011 reflected that Student was reading between 84-
94 words correct per minute on third grade fluency probes in June 2011 (a slight increase
from a baseline of 73-86 words correct per minute at that level in March 2011); was
reading in March 2011 at Level N (mid-third grade) with 94.5% accuracy (an
improvement from a baseline at level M in November 2010); correctly computed 13
digits correct per minute on mathematics application problems in three minutes on probes
at a third grade level (an increase from 9.3 digits correct per minute in November 2010);5
At the hearing, the psychologist who conducted the IEE testified that she saw no reason that the District
could not develop and implement an appropriate educational program for Student. (N.T. 433, 443-44)

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 10 of 17
and remained relatively stable on third grade mathematics computation probes (compared
to November 2010). Student’s scores in written expression using the District’s fourth
grade rubric also remained stable across most domains except Student showed
improvement with conventions. (P 31; S 55)

57. The District uses the discrepancy model for identifying students with learning disabilities.
(N.T. 577-79)

58. The parties did not move their exhibits into evidence, but rather asked that all exhibits
referenced during the testimony be considered. (N.T. 783-86) Based upon a review of
the record, the following exhibits are deemed admitted and were considered in this
decision even if not specifically referenced:
Parent [Mother] Exhibit Nos. 1 through 14, 16, 18 through 26, 29, 31 through 36,
39, 40, 42, 43, 45 through 48;
School District Exhibit Nos. 2, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 29, 30,
32, 34 through 40, 42, 44, 47 through 55, 57, 61, 62
Father Exhibit Nos. 1 and Hearing Officer Exhibit No.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

General Legal Principles

 

6The burden of production, “i.e., which party bears the obligation to come forward with the evidence at
different points in the proceeding,” Schaffer, 546 U.S. at 56, relates to the order of presentation of the
evidence.

testified in this case to be generally truthful and forthright; the credibility of particular witnesses
is discussed further in this decision as necessary.

IDEA Principles

Local education agencies, including school districts, meet the obligation of providing FAPE to eligible students through development and implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is “‘reasonably calculated’ to enable the child to receive ‘meaningful educational benefits’ in light of the student’s ‘intellectual potential.’ ” Mary Courtney T. v. School District of Philadelphia, 575 F.3d 235, 240 (3d Cir. 2009) (citations omitted). Under the IDEA and its implementing regulations, an IEP for a child with a disability must include present levels of educational performance, measurable annual goals, a statement of how the child’s progress toward those goals will be measured, and the specially designed instruction and supplementary aids and services which will be provided, as well as an explanation of the extent, if any, to which the child will not participate with non-disabled children in the regular classroom. 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d); 34 C.F.R. §300.320(a). First and foremost, of course, the IEP must be responsive to the child’s identified educational needs. 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d); 34 C.F.R. §300.324. Nevertheless, “the measure and adequacy of an IEP can only be determined as of the time it is offered to the student, and not at some later date.” Fuhrmann v. East Hanover Board of Education, 993 F.2d 1031, 1040 (3d Cir. 1993).

The first issue is whether the District properly identified Student in all areas of suspected
disability. The Mother’s expert opined that Student should also be identified as eligible on the
basis of the longstanding ADHD diagnosis under the OHI category, as well as with a
speech/language impairment.

The IDEA defines a “child with a disability” as a child who has been evaluated and
identified with one of a number of specific classifications and who, “by reason thereof, needs
special education and related services.” 34 C.F.R. § 300.8(a); see also 20 U.S.C. § 1401. Those
categories are “intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments (including deafness), speech or
language impairments, visual impairments (including blindness), serious emotional disturbance
(referred to in this chapter as “emotional disturbance”), orthopedic impairments, autism,
traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities.”
20 U.S.C.A. § 1401(3)(A); see also 34 C.F.R. § 300.8(a).

“Special education” means specially designed instruction which is designed to meet the
child’s individual learning needs. 34 C.F.R. § 300.39(a). Further,

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 12 of Specially designed instruction means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an
eligible child under this part, the content, methodology, or delivery of
instruction –

(i) To address the unique needs of the child that result from the child’s
disability; and

(ii) To ensure access of the child to the general curriculum, so that the child
can meet the educational standards within the jurisdiction of the public
agency that apply to all children.

34 C.F.R. § 300.39(b)(3). “A determination of whether the District failed to identify a student
eligible for special education services in a timely fashion requires a finding that the District
knew, or should have known, that the child was disabled or in need of special education.” D.K.
v. Abington School District, 2010 WL 1223596, *6 (E.D.Pa. 2010).

The Mother’s evidence regarding Student’s areas of eligibility was provided by the
private psychologist who conducted the IEE, a very experienced certified school psychologist
who has worked with many children with exceptionalities including ADHD and dyslexia. (N.T.
375-76; P 35) With respect to a speech/language impairment, this witness provided little
testimony, and the section of her IEE which discusses speech/language needs merely references
weaknesses in phonological processes, phonological memory, and rapid naming speed. (P 19 at
25; S 44 at 25) However, her report suggests that these deficits will manifest themselves in
Student’s reading disability, and does not indicate that specific intervention for a
speech/language impairment, rather than in conjunction with Student’s specific learning
disability in reading, is necessary. (P 19; S 44) Thus, the record does not demonstrate that the
District erred in failing to identify Student with a speech/language impairment.

With respect to Student’s ADHD as a basis for OHI, the District witnesses testified,
credibly, that Student’s attentional and focusing difficulties were not significant at school, and
that Student was easily redirected and refocused when necessary. (N.T. 573-75, 602-03, 618-19,
622, 626-27, 666-67) Although the school psychologist agreed that Student had historically
exhibited attentional difficulties, at the time of the 2009 RR (which is near the beginning of the
time period at issue in this case), those behaviors were not of concern at school. (Finding of Fact
(FF) 18, 20, 21; N.T. 573-75)

In contrast, the private psychologist who conducted the IEE opined that a functional
behavior assessment (FBA) was necessary due to Student’s ADHD diagnosis, so that a behavior
support plan could be developed. (N.T. 448, 453) However, this witness was not aware that
Student had started taking medication for ADHD (N.T. 478-79; FF 47), and also was not familiar
with how or whether Student’s ADHD impacted Student’s education. (N.T. 477-79; P 19 at 33;
S 44 at 33) As noted above, a diagnosis alone does not necessarily mean that a child is eligible
for special education on that basis; rather, it must be demonstrated that the student, by reason of
that disability, requires specially designed instruction. The absence of evidence on this second
prong is fatal, and this hearing officer therefore concludes that the Mother failed to meet her

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 13 of 17
burden of establishing that the District failed to properly identify Student in this category of
disability.

Having found no basis for relief on the first issue, the next question is whether the
District’s programs as implemented and offered denied Student FAPE. This inquiry relates both
to the programming for the end of the 2008-09 school year and the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school
years, as well as the program proposed for 2011-12. Mother sets forth several bases for finding
the District’s programming deficient. (Mother’s Closing at 21-26)

With respect to the decision to terminate Student’s OT, the record reflects that by the fall
of 2009, Student was demonstrating functional, legible handwriting as evidenced by assessment
of specific samples of Student’s handwriting and observations by the occupational therapist. (FF
16) There is no suggestion that anyone disagreed with the decision to terminate OT at that time.
It was not until the spring of 2010 that Student’s teacher noticed a return of some handwriting
difficulties, and she sought assistance from the occupational therapist, who provided some
suggestions for supports and interventions. (FF 24) Simply because, by the fall of 2010, Student
again demonstrated a need for OT, it does not follow that Student was improperly exited from
that service a year prior. Special education programs must be assessed based upon the
information known to the IEP team at the time, not based upon hindsight. Fuhrmann, supra.
Moreover, I find convincing the testimony of the occupational therapist that there was no reason
to re-administer the Beery VMI to Student before terminating OT services in the fall of 2009.
(N.T. 330-31, 339-341) The record demonstrates that when Student exhibited a need for OT in
the fall of 2010, that related service was again provided. (FF 29) There was also credible
evidence that while Student did demonstrate poor handwriting during the 2010-11 school year,
particularly with first drafts, Student was able to produce a legible final product through pre-
writing, use of a graphic organizer or storyboard, drafting, and editing, when given sufficient
time. (N.T. 319, 337-38, 340-41, 343-44, 352-55, 598-99, 683-87, 745-47) This process is
consistent with that recommended by the evaluator who conducted the IEE, in addition to
teaching Student keyboarding skills which was also being done. (FF 29, 30, 31; N.T. 388-91)

The primary contention of Student’s Mother is that the District’s IEPs do not aim high
enough for Student, resulting in minimal progress. (N.T. 78, 82, 87, 90-91, 94, 114-15, 127-28,
200-01, 207-08, 237-40) Her evaluator testified consistent with the Mother’s belief, opining that
the District’s IEPs were flawed because they did not contain goals to bring Student to grade
level. (N.T. 421-24, 448-49, 453, 459, 461; see also P 19, P 25; S 44) Student’s Father did not
share this belief. (N.T. 530-31, 535-37)

Annual goals in a student’s IEP must be responsive to identified needs. It was not
disputed by the District that a long-term goal for any student is to perform at grade level. (See,
e.g., N.T. 638) Districts are also required to develop IEP goals that are aligned with state
standards and provide access to the student’s grade-level curriculum. Nonetheless, annual goals
in a Student’s IEP must also be based upon needs in relation to academic and functional
performance, with the expectation that the student will master that goal in one year’s time. If a
student’s present educational levels are below grade level and the IEP team does not expect that
the student would perform at grade level within the one-year duration of the IEP, then the goal
cannot be deemed deficient simply because it does not aim that high. This concept was evident

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 14 of 17
in the testimony by the Mother and the evaluator who conducted the IEE that suggested that the
District was failing to “close the gap” between Student’s average intellectual ability and below
grade level achievement. (N.T. 237-40, 422-24; P 19, P 25; S 44) The analysis, however, is
whether an IEP is reasonably calculated to provide meaningful educational benefit, not whether a
student with a disability will perform commensurate with grade-level peers within the duration
of an IEP.

The District’s school psychologist provided a persuasive explanation on why many of the
goals in Student’s IEP were not at grade level. (N.T. 611-12) It is evident that the District did
not want to set goals for Student which would not realistically be met. It is also clear that setting
annual goals at a level which a child cannot be expected to reach within one year’s time would
also render progress monitoring useless. While it is understandable that a parent would seek to
have any gap between ability and performance closed as quickly as possible, and one might be
extremely hopeful that Student will soon be performing at grade level in all areas, this hearing
officer cannot conclude that the District has been denying Student FAPE because the IEP goals
have been based upon expectations derived from Student’s present educational levels.

The other major concern of Student’s Mother is with the reading program. Student’s
Mother and the evaluator who conducted the IEE are convinced that Student requires the Wilson
Reading Program in order to make sufficient educational progress. (N.T. 182-83, 420-21) The
psychologist who conducted the IEE also conceded that Read 180 provides direct, synthetic,
phonetic, multisensory instruction and is appropriate for Student’s reading needs and addresses
Student’s language-based learning disability. (N.T. 392-99, 410-14) She faulted Read 180 for
Student, however, because it is not intensive enough to address the gaps between Student’s
performance and grade level. (Id.) She did admit, however, that she did not know how the
District was implementing the Read 180 and System 44 programs for Student. (N.T. 413)

The Read 180 and System 44 programs together provide a direct, synthetic, phonetic,
multisensory approach to teaching reading and include a decoding component. (FF 28, 50) The
programs together address Student’s needs in this area. (FF 28, 48, 50; N.T. 392-99, 410-14)
Simply because the Wilson Reading Program may be better for Student does not mean that the
program which has been offered and provided and which does address Student’s language needs
is inappropriate. Were I asked to determine what would be the best program to address Student’s
language-based learning disability, the testimony of the psychologist who conducted the IEE
might prove to be compelling. As discussed above, however, the test is what is reasonably
calculated, at the time the IEP is developed, to permit a child to derive meaningful educational
benefit, not what is best or what might close the gap in one year’s time. For all of these reasons,
I find that the Mother has failed to meet her burden of establishing that Student’s reading
program denied Student FAPE. Further, based upon the foregoing discussion, this hearing
officer also declines to order the District to incorporate and implement all of the suggestions in
the IEE in the March 2011 IEP. (Mother’s Closing at 27-28) Moreover, it is clear that the IEP
team did consider all of her recommendations (FF 48), which is all that is required. 34 C.F.R. §
300.502(c).

The other major concern of Mother is that Student has not made sufficient progress over
the course of the school years in question. (N.T. 90-91, 94, 114-15, 127-28, 171-72, 200-01,

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 15 of 17
207-08, 237-40) This argument is related to the discussion above about closing the gap which,
again, is not the standard. It is noteworthy that the psychologist who conducted the IEE
described Student’s progress as “trivial” based upon a comparison of WIAT-III scores in
November 2009 and January 2011. (P 19 at 26; S 44 at 26) This conclusory statement is not
explained, and contradicts the convincing testimony of the District’s school psychologist who
clarified that Student’s scores on these assessments actually reflect more than one year’s growth
or progress. (N.T. 609-10)
7
That witness also persuasively explained that determination of a
student’s progress should not be made based solely on one set of data, but rather should be made
upon a consideration of regular assessments of a student such as how he or she is progressing
through the curriculum. (N.T. 607-10)

When the record is considered as a whole, this hearing officer concludes that the
District’s IEPs for the time periods in question are appropriate and that Student did make
meaningful educational progress.
8
Each of the IEPs at issue were responsive to Student’s
identified needs in reading, written expression, and mathematics, as well as organization, and
contained annual goals, program modifications, and specially designed instruction which were
appropriate to meet all of those needs. (FF 25, 49, 50, 56) Student made progress toward those
goals which, while did not close the gap, was not trivial. (FF 11, 15, 18, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 4, 48, 49) In reading fluency, Student not only increased the number of words read
correctly per minute but also was probed at a third grade level by June 2011. (FF 15, 56)
Student was reading at level N (mid-third grade) in June 2011 from level K (mid-second grade
level) in October 2009. (Id.) Student similarly increased the number of correct digits per minute
at a higher grade level between the fall of 2009 and June 2011. (Id.) Written expression
assessments were based upon grade-level rubrics and, while Student continued to demonstrate
needs in this area, Student continued to make growth commensurate with Student’s grade level.
Furthermore, standardized achievement testing similarly reflected appropriate progress. (Id.;
N.T. 607-610) Student also demonstrated improvement with organizational skills. (FF 32; N.T.
677-78) In terms of the reading programs used, by the end of the 2010-11 school year, Student
mastered 20 of the 160 topics in the System 44 program and, in the Read 180 program, Student’s
Lexile level increased to the proficient range for Student’s grade level. (FF 50)

Again, the Mother’s contention is that Student has not made sufficient progress because
the gap has not been closed. It was the Mother’s burden to establish that Student’s progress was
less than meaningful, and this assertion does not set forth the appropriate standard for
determining progress as explained above. For all of these reasons, this hearing officer cannot
conclude that the District denied FAPE to Student for the school years in question.

Student’s Mother also claims that Student should have been provided with ESY for the
summers of 2009, 2010, and 2011. (Mother’s Closing at 28-30) “Extended school year services
must be provided only if a child’s IEP Team determines, on an individual basis … that the
services are necessary for the provision of FAPE to the child.” 34 C.F.R. § 300.106. Under the

7
This explanation also comports with this hearing officer’s understanding of these scores.
8
There was very little evidence with respect to the 2008-09 school year, and certainly none which would
be sufficient to meet the Mother’s burden of establishing a denial of FAPE between April 2009 and the
end of the 2008-09 school year.

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 16 of 17
Pennsylvania regulations, IEP teams must make ESY eligibility determinations through
consideration of the following factors, although no single factor is determinative:

(i) Whether the student reverts to a lower level of functioning as evidenced by a
measurable decrease in skills or behaviors which occurs as a result of an
interruption in educational programming (Regression).
(ii) Whether the student has the capacity to recover the skills or behavior patterns
in which regression occurred to a level demonstrated prior to the interruption of
educational programming (Recoupment).
(iii) Whether the student’s difficulties with regression and recoupment make it
unlikely that the student will maintain the skills and behaviors relevant to IEP
goals and objectives.
(iv) The extent to which the student has mastered and consolidated an important
skill or behavior at the point when educational programming would be
interrupted.
(v) The extent to which a skill or behavior is particularly crucial for the student to
meet the IEP goals of self-sufficiency and independence from caretakers.
(vi) The extent to which successive interruptions in educational programming
result in a student’s withdrawal from the learning process.
(vii) Whether the student’s disability is severe, such as autism/pervasive
developmental disorder, serious emotional disturbance, severe mental retardation,
degenerative impairments with mental involvement and severe multiple
disabilities.
22 Pa. Code § 14.132(a)(2).

The only evidence with respect to Student’s need for ESY services was the opinion of
Student’s Mother and the psychologist who conducted the IEE that the District should have
offered them in 2009, 2010, and 2011 given Student’s academic deficits. (N.T. 448-49, 452,
466, 481-82) Almost any child, of course, would likely benefit from additional instruction,
including summer programming. Nevertheless, school districts are only required to provide ESY
services if they are necessary to provide FAPE. There was no evidence that any of the criteria
set forth in the Pennsylvania regulations compelled the provision of ESY services to Student, nor
that such was required in order to provide FAPE. Rather, the testimony suggested only that
because of the discrepancy between Student’s cognitive ability and reading needs, and between
Student’s grade level and performance, ESY should have been provided. (Id.) Additionally,
contrary to the Mother’s argument, the fact that Student demonstrated a need for OT in the fall of
2010 after having that related service discontinued is not, in this hearing officer’s estimation, the
type of regression due to “an interruption in regular programming” which ESY services are
designed to address. 22 Pa. Code § 14.132(a)(2)(i). I am unable to conclude that this evidence
suffices to establish that the District deprived Student of FAPE based on failure to provide ESY.

The last issue is whether the District should be ordered to provide additional
reimbursement to the private psychologist who conducted the IEE. The fees incurred for the IEE

ODR File No. 1742-1011AS, Page 17 of 17
itself were paid by the District. (FF 54) The services performed by that psychologist in March
and April 2011 were not a part of the IEE but, rather, were more akin to expert consultation with
the Mother and her counsel. (Id.) This psychologist herself testified that the services performed
in the spring of 2011 were “after the fact” and not related to the IEE. (N.T. 418-19) Thus, this
hearing officer finds no basis on which to provide a remedy on this claim.Dicta

This hearing officer observes that Student is fortunate enough to have two very loving
and caring parents who clearly want the best for their child in all aspects of Student’s life,
including educationally. However, the record is also replete with evidence that many
educational decisions in this case were heavily influenced by the ongoing custody proceedings
between the Parents. (See, e.g, S 14, S 15, S 30 (requesting evaluation based on recommendation
of custody master in anticipation of, and for use at, custody hearings); N.T. 154 (referencing
February 2011 evaluation sought pursuant to a court order).) It is my sincere hope that both
Parents are able to work toward overcoming their differences which undoubtedly have had a
significant impact on Student not only educationally but in all facets of Student’s life.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, this hearing officer concludes that the District did not fail to
program appropriately for Student, and did not fail to offer and implement appropriate IEPs
during the relevant time period. I also find no basis to award reimbursement for the
unreimbursed fees of the private psychologist who conducted the IEE. Consequently, there is no
basis on which to award compensatory education or any other remedy.

ORDER

In accordance with the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby
ORDERED that the Mother’s claims in this matter are DENIED. The School District need take
no action.

It is FURTHER ORDERED that any claims not specifically addressed by this decision
and order are denied and dismissed.

Cathy A. Skidmore
Cathy A. Skidmore
HEARING OFFICER
Dated: August 26, 9
The Mother has also raised this issue to preserve a future claim for reimbursement of expert witness
fees. (Mother’s Revised Statement of Issues at 2)

A-D-Souderton-Area-ODRNo-1742-1011AS