PENNSYLVANIA
SPECIAL EDUCATION HEARING OFFICER
DECISION
Child’s Name: D.C.
Date of Birth: [redacted]
Dates of Hearing:
CLOSED HEARING
ODR File No. 14350/1314AS
Parties to the Hearing: Parents
Reading School District 800 Washington Street Reading, PA 19601-3616
Representative: Pro Se
Kathleen M. Metcalfe, Esquire
Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLC 331 E. Butler Avenue
New Britain, PA 18901
Date Record Closed: November 8, 2013
Date of Decision: November 18, 2013
Hearing Officer: Cathy A. Skidmore, M.Ed., J.D.
INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Student1 is a late-teenaged student in the Reading School District (District) who is eligible for special education pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)2 by reason of Intellectual Disability and Speech/Language Impairment. Following a parental request for an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense, the District filed a due process complaint on October 4, 2013, seeking an order denying the Parent’s request.3
The case proceeded to a due process hearing convening over three sessions, at which the parties presented evidence in support of their respective positions. The District sought to establish that its Reevaluation Report was appropriate under the applicable law, while the Parents challenged that position.
For the reasons set forth below, and following careful review of the Reevaluation Report at issue, as well as consideration of the testimony and exhibits, I find in favor of the District.
ISSUES
- Whether the District’s Reevaluation Report of September 9, 2013, was appropriate; and
- If it was not appropriate, are the Parents and Student entitled to an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense?