PENNSYLVANIA
SPECIAL EDUCATION HEARING OFFICER
DECISION
DUE PROCESS HEARING
Name of Child: D.M.
ODR #14840 13-14-KE
ODR # 14845 13-14-KE
Date of Birth: [redacted]
Date of Hearing: April 29, 2014
CLOSED HEARING
Parties to the Hearing: Parent[s]
Collegium Charter School 535 James Hance Court Exton, PA 19341
Representative: Pro Se
Maria Ramola, Esquire
Latsha Davis Yohe & McKenna 350 Eagleview Boulevard Suite 100 Exton, PA 19341
Date Record Closed: May 3, 2014
Date of Decision: May 6, 2014
Hearing Officer: Linda M. Valentini, Psy.D., CHO Certified Hearing Official
Background
Student1 is a Kindergarten age child whose Local Educational Agency [LEA] is a Charter School [hereinafter School]. Prior to entering Kindergarten Student received preschool Early Intervention services. The Parents2 requested a Re-evaluation from the School and being in disagreement with parts of the Re-Evaluation they requested Independent Educational Evaluations in the areas of Physical Therapy [PT], Occupational Therapy [OT], and Speech/Language Therapy [S/L]. Believing its assessments in these areas were appropriate the School filed a due process hearing request to defend its evaluation. The Parents filed a separate due process hearing request seeking an order that the School provide Student with PT, OT and S/L. Because the issues were intertwined the two hearing requests were consolidated on one hearing date, and the earlier of the two Decision Due Dates was adopted.
For the reasons explained below I find for the School on both issues.
Issues
- Were the physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language assessments done by the School appropriate, and if not is Student entitled to independent evaluations in one or more of these areas at public expense?
- In order for Student to receive a free appropriate public education must the School provide Student with physical therapy and/or occupational therapy, and/or speech/language therapy?