DECISION
Child’s Name: E.K.
Date of Birth: [redacted]
Date of Hearing: April 23, 2015
OPEN HEARING
ODR No. 16091 / 14-15 AS
Parties to the Hearing: Parent[s]
Palisades School District
39 Thomas Free Drive Kintnersville, PA 18930-9657
Representative:
Pro Se
Sharon Montanye, Esq.
Sweet, Stevens, Katz, & Williams 331 East Butler Avenue
New Britain, PA 18901
Date Record Closed: May 4, 2015
Date of Decision: May 8, 2015
Hearing Officer: Shawn D. Lochinger, Esq.
INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Student currently resides in the Palisades School District (the “District”). The Parties agree that the Student is gifted under the terms of the law and is eligible for gifted services through the District. The Student was placed into the District’s gifted program during the 2013/2014 school year and received gifted education services mainly through a pull-out program and some enrichment activities. When the Student’s 2014/2015 GIEP was being discussed, the Student’s mother requested that the Student be accelerated in math and in science due to the Student’s high rate of acquisition and retention. While several forms of acceleration were discussed, the District deemed that the Student was not in need of acceleration. The Student’s mother disagreed and brought this Due Process Hearing, asking specifically that the Student be accelerated in math and science moving forward. Based upon the facts, evidence, and law presented below, I will find that there is not enough evidence to support a finding that the Student should be accelerated. As such, I will issue an Order in favor of the District in this matter.