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: B.W.
Date of Birth: [redacted]
Dates of Hearing:
December 10, 2010
February 3, 2011
CLOSED HEARING
ODR Case # 01671-10-11-AS
Parties to the Hearing:
Parent[s]
Upper Darby School District 4611 Bond Avenue
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Representative:
Pro Se
Scott Gottel, Esq. Holsten & Associates One Olive Street Media, PA 19063
Date Record Closed: February 3, 2011
Date of Decision: February 18, 2011
Hearing Officer: Jake McElligott, Esquire
INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Student is an early teen-aged student residing in the Upper Darby School District (“District”) who has been identified as a student with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEIA”)1. The student has been identified as a student with an emotional disturbance and specific learning disabilities. The District feels that the student requires therapeutic services as part of the student’s educational program and recommends that the student be placed in a private placement outside of the District. The Parent counters that the student’s placement should remain at the District.
For the reasons set forth below, I find in favor of the student.
ISSUE
Is the District’s proposed change in placement appropriate for the student?
B-W-Upper-Darby-ODRNo-01671-10-11-AS