Pennsylvania
Special Education Hearing Officer
DECISION
Child’s Name: Student
Date of Birth:
Dates of Hearing: 7/31/2009
CLOSED HEARING
ODR No. 10142/08-09 KE
Parties to the Hearing:
Parent: Pro SE
School District: Council Rock School District
The Chancellor Center 30 North Chancellor Street
Newtown, PA 18940
School District Attorney:
Joanne Sommer, Esq. Eastburn and Gray
60 E. Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901
Date of Hearing: July 31, 2009 Date
Record Closed: August 6, 2009
Date of Decision: August 21, 2009
Hearing Officer: Deborah G. DeLauro
INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Student (Student) 1 is a second grade student in the Council Rock School District (hereinafter “District”). Student’s Parent contends that the reading program provided during the 2008-2009 school year was inappropriate and therefore Student’s Individualized Education Program (hereinafter “IEP) was inappropriate. Parent also complains that the reading program proposed in the IEP for the 2009- 2010 school year is similarly inappropriate. Parent believes that the District has provided a “reading plan” and not a reading program and the only reading program appropriate for Student is the Lindamood Bell Reading Program2. After a due process hearing session and a careful review of the parties’ testimony and evidence, I find for the District for the reasons described below.
ISSUES
Whether the District provided an appropriate IEP to Student for the 2008-2009 school year?
Whether the District’s IEP proposed for the 2009- 2010 school year is appropriate?