Parents and special education advocates fear that a proposal before the legislature could make it harder for special-education students to get “free, appropriate, public education” in the state.
Under a current regulation, parents who are unable to resolve a problem with their child’s special-education plan through the school district can appeal to the state Department of Education. The appeal can lead to a state-mediated hearing at which the school district must demonstrate that the education plan adheres to federal law.
But a bill proposed by the legislature’s education committee would shift that burden of proof to the party filing the complaint — which in most cases is the parents.
Supporters of the bill say it would save school districts money and shorten hearings, which can last anywhere from a week to 40 days.