OAH 2019120533
April 02, 2020Student v. Poway Unified School District - District Prevailed
BEFORE THE
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
CASE NO. 2019120533
POWAY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
v.
PARENT ON BEHALF OF STUDENT.
DECISION
April 2, 2020
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Administrative Hearings, called OAH, received a due process hearing request from Poway Unified School District, naming Student. OAH continued the hearing for good cause on December 23, 2019. Administrative Law Judge Brian H. Krikorian heard this matter in San Diego,
California, on February 11, 12, and 13, 2020. An Administrative Law Judge is referred to
as ALJ. Attorneys Justin Shinnefield and Danielle Gigli represented Poway. Special Education
Director Jodi Payne attended all hearing days on Poway’s behalf. Parent represented
Student and participated in all hearing days on Student’s behalf. Student
did not attend the hearing.
At the parties’ request, the ALJ continued the matter to March 2, 2020, for written
closing briefs. The record was closed, and the case was submitted on March 2, 2020.
ISSUE
Did Poway’s May 7, 2019 individualized education program offer Student a free
appropriate public education?
JURISDICTION
This hearing was held under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, its
regulations, and California statutes and regulations. (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et. seq.; 34 C.F.R.
§ 300.1 (2006) et seq.; Ed. Code, § 56000 et seq.; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 3000 et seq.)
The main purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to as the
IDEA, are to ensure:
• all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public
education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to
meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment,
and independent living, and
• the rights of children with disabilities and their parents are protected. (20 U.S.C.
§ 1400(d)(1); See Ed. Code, § 56000, subd. (a).)
The IDEA affords parents and local educational agencies the procedural
protection of an impartial due process hearing concerning any matter relating to the
identification, assessment, or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a
free appropriate public education, referred to as FAPE, to the child. (20 U.S.C.
§ 1415(b)(6) & (f); 34 C.F.R. § 300.511; Ed. Code, §§ 56501, 56502, and 56505; Cal. Code
Regs., tit. 5, § 3082.) The party requesting the hearing is limited to the issues alleged in
the complaint, unless the other party consents, and has the burden of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence. (20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(3)(B); Ed. Code, § 56502, subd. (i);
Schaffer v. Weast (2005) 546 U.S. 49, 57-58, 62 [126 S.Ct. 528, 163 L.Ed.2d 387]; and see
20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(2)(C)(iii).) Here, Poway has the burden of proof. The factual
statements in this Decision constitute the written findings of fact required by the IDEA
and state law. (20 U.S.C. § 1415(h)(4); Ed. Code, § 56505, subd. (e)(5).)
Student was 15 years old and in ninth grade at the time of the hearing. Student
resided within Poway’s geographic boundaries at all relevant times. Student was eligible
for special education under the categories of multiple disabilities, including intractable
epilepsy developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autism.
Student attended a Poway special day class for third through fifth grades. From
2016 through the hearing, his placement was at non-public schools. On November 20,
2017, Community School of San Diego terminated his placement there because Student
needed more site-based instruction than it could provide. On May 1, 2018, Student
began attending Training Education Research Institute, referred to as TERI.
ISSUE: DID THE MAY 7, 2019 INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM
OFFER STUDENT A FAPE?
Poway contends that they followed the appropriate procedural safeguards under
the IDEA and that the May 7, 2019 individualized education program offered Student a
FAPE. An individualized education program is referred to as an IEP. The May 7, 2019 IEP
was amended on May 23, June 12, and October 24, 2019. The May IEP, as amended, will
be referred to as the May 2019 IEP. Parents contend that the proposed goals are not
measurable, the placement is not appropriate, and that Poway denied Parents full
participation in the process.
A FAPE means special education and related services that are available to an
eligible child that meets state educational standards at no charge to the parent or
guardian. (20 U.S.C. § 1401(9); 34 C.F.R. § 300.17.) Parents and school personnel
develop an individualized education program, referred to as an IEP, for an eligible
student based upon state law and the IDEA. (20 U.S.C. §§ 1401(14), 1414(d)(1); and see
Ed. Code, §§ 56031,56032, 56341, 56345, subd. (a) and 56363 subd. (a); 34 C.F.R.
§§ 300.320, 300.321, and 300.501.)
In general, a child eligible for special education must be provided access to
specialized instruction and related services which are individually designed to provide
educational benefit through an IEP reasonably calculated to enable a child to make
progress appropriate in light of the child’s circumstances. (Board of Education of the
Hendrick Hudson Central School Dist. v. Rowley (1982) 458 U.S. 176, 201-204; Endrew F.
v. Douglas County School Dist. RE-1 (2017) 580 U.S. ____ [137 S.Ct. 988, 1000].)
The legal analysis of a school district’s compliance with the IDEA consists of two
parts. First, the tribunal must determine whether the district has complied with the
procedures outlined in the IDEA. (Rowley, supra, 458 U.S. at pp. 206-207.) Second, the
tribunal must decide whether the IEP developed through those procedures was
designed to meet the child’s unique needs and reasonably calculated to enable the child
to receive educational benefit. (Ibid.)
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
An IEP team develops an IEP. In developing the IEP, the IEP team must consider
the strengths of the child, the concerns of the parents for enhancing the child’s
education, the results of the most recent evaluation of the child, and the academic,
developmental, and functional needs of the child. (20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(3)(A); 34 C.F.R. §
300.324 (a).)
RECENT EVALUATION, ACADEMIC AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS
Poway assessed Student in the areas of psychoeducation, speech and language,
occupational therapy, adapted physical education, physical therapy, and health in
May 2019. Poway also funded independent evaluations in functional behavior and
psychoeducation. The IEP team considered the results of these recent evaluations of
Student’s academic and functional needs in developing Student’s annual IEP at the IEP
team meeting on May 7, 2019.
PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT
School psychologist Michelle Fouts-Doig conducted Student’s psychoeducational
assessment in March 2019 and prepared a written report dated March 18, 2019. She has
been employed as a Poway school psychologist since 2003, held a pupil personnel
services credential in school psychology, and a master’s degree in school psychology.
She was familiar with Student and had acted as his full-time case manager until the
Spring of 2019.
Fouts-Doig reviewed Student’s relevant educational records and reports,
conducted observations in different settings, utilized assessment tools including
standardized assessment instruments, and solicited input from Student’s teacher Nicole
Felix. She also administered or attempted to obtain standardized rating scales for
behavior and autism. Fouts-Doig received input from Felix for the Adaptive Behavior
and Gilliam Autism Rating tests. She solicited feedback from Parents, but they did not
return their questionnaire.
Fouts-Doig observed Student at school twice. Finally, she reviewed and
incorporated into her report Student’s health evaluation by the school nurse.
Fouts-Doig assessed cognitive and academic skills using standardized
assessments, with some deviations due to his lack of response and participation. Where
a student has difficulty with accessing the standardized assessments, the examiner may
deviate from the standardized administration of the test. The testing, although
modified, provided Fouts-Doig a better understanding of his present levels, and it
permitted her to identify skill areas to target instructional objectives appropriate for his
needs. Fouts-Doig included these findings in her report.
Student transitioned well from the school bus and into class during Fouts-Doig’s
observations. The staff gave positive reinforcements, including allowing Student to use
his iPad to watch videos, rewarding him with stickers, and participating in activities he
enjoyed, such as shredding papers, watering plants, and hanging clothes. On the few
occasions where Student showed resistance or refusal, the school staff was able to
engage him successfully and redirect him.
Fouts-Doig’s report was given to Parents before the first IEP meeting on
May 7, 2019. Fouts-Doig recommended continued placement of Student at TERI along
with supportive services. Fouts-Doig’s testimony regarding her observations, testing,
and findings was credible based upon her background, experience with Student.
Fouts-Doig was knowledgeable about Student’s disability and had personal
experiences with Student. Her psychoeducational assessment identified Student’s
academic and functional needs to be considered in developing the May 2019 IEP.
FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT REGARDING TRANSPORTATION
Student exhibited resistance to transitioning from home to the bus and the bus
to school when he began attending eighth grade at TERI during the 2018-2019 school
year. Poway provided behavior support instruction to Parents at home to assist with the
transition.
On October 31, 2018, the IEP team met to review Student’s progress on his
annual goals. On December 5, 2018, the IEP team reconvened and made changes to
Student’s IEP based upon a mediated settlement agreement. The changes included
removal of a safety harness as support for Student, having transportation with aide
support, and implementing services to assist Student transitioning from home to the
bus until services were no longer needed.
In December 2018, Poway assigned Beth Mori to assist Student’s behavior when
using transportation. Mori had a master’s degree in education and was working on a
master’s degree in applied behavior analysis at the time of the hearing. Mori was part
of Poway’s behavior support team and was referred to a classroom or school site to
assist students who are beyond the capabilities of the school staff. Poway asked Mori to
provide recommendations for Student related to his bus transportation.
Mori explained that when a student exhibited inappropriate actions, and
someone attempted to re-direct or correct the student’s response, the student often
“upped the ante” to maintain their preference. She referred to this as “extinction”
behavior. However, if the correcting action was consistently maintained, the student
eventually gives up and modifies the inappropriate conduct. Initially Mori saw Student
engaging in this type of “extinction burst” when he was told to board the bus.
In December 2018, the IEP team agreed to fund a functional behavior evaluation
related to bus transportation. Heather Diaz of Verbal Behavior Associates conducted
the evaluation. Diaz had a teaching credential from the State of California and a
master’s degree in psychology. She prepared a written report dated February 1, 2019,
which was amended on June 10 and October 24, 2019. In addition to evaluating
Student, Diaz also personally assisted Student’s transition from home to the bus and
from the bus to school. Diaz was knowledgeable about Student’s disability and had
personal experiences with Student.
Diaz conducted a functional behavior analysis to determine why Student had
difficulty getting on and off the bus. Diaz created a plan for Parents to implement
before the school bus arrived in the morning to enable Student to transition from home
to school smoothly, including providing access to Student’s couch, iPad, and television
as reinforcers. The goal was to avoid taking things away from Student as a punishment,
but instead, use them as a reward for him when he exhibited appropriate behavior.
Diaz observed Student at home and school and obtained input from Student’s
teacher and Parents. Diaz began implementing the transportation plan in early 2019. At
that time, Student avoided the bus transition 50 percent of the time. By May of 2019,
Student could transition to and from the bus nearly 100 percent of the time. Mori
worked with Diaz to create a behavior plan for Student to be transported more
frequently by the bus. Mori consulted with Diaz daily for the first week of Diaz’s
involvement, and then weekly, as time progressed, regarding Diaz’s implementation of
the plan. Once Diaz took over, Mori reviewed her data. The intervention by Poway was
highly successful, and after two to three weeks, Parents began to transition and
“fade-out” Diaz’s services. By October of 2019, Parent had entirely taken over
implementation of the transition plan, and there were minimal instances of noncompliance in bus transitioning by Student.
Diaz prepared a written report. The report was given to Parents before the
May 7, 2019 IEP meeting. Subsequent amendments were provided to Parents before a
final meeting on October 24, 2019.
Diaz was knowledgeable about Student’s suspected disability and had personal
experiences with Student. Her assessment identified Student’s functional needs for bus
transportation to be considered in developing the May 2019 IEP.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT
Renee Tompkins evaluated Student for speech and language in March 2019,
prepared a written report dated May 7, 2019, and updated it on June 10, 2019.
Tompkins was a licensed speech-language pathologist. She held a Master of Science
degree in speech-language pathology and was employed by Poway since March of
2004. She also provided compensatory speech services to Student in the spring of 2018.
The objective of the evaluation was to measure Student’s skills in the area of
speech and language, to help determine whether he qualified for continued speech and
language services and provide guidance to the IEP team for the May 7, 2019 IEP team
meeting.
Tompkins observed Student for over an hour on March 1, 2019, as part of her
assessment. She solicited input from Parents regarding their communication concerns,
but Parents did not respond. Tompkins reviewed and relied upon a Functional
Communication Profile prepared by Deanna Hughes, Student’s speech and language
pathologist employed at TERI. Student was rated in the areas of receptive language,
expressive language, and pragmatic language.
In the receptive language category, Student comprehended words, phrases,
sentences, and direct requests. Student was attentive to cartoons and videos but
tended to lack interest when looking at pictures. In expressive language, Student
utilized “total communication.” Consequently, while he had limited verbal
communication, he resorted to emotions, pointing, words, object symbols, and icons,
and used his augmentative communication voice output device to communicate.
Student was able to state his name, express his basic needs and preferences, and
engage in social exchanges. In pragmatic language, Student occasionally initiated
communication with others if prompted.
Tompkins opined that Student was a complex communicator, with multiple
“modalities.” Those modalities included using hand gestures, speech, pointing, symbols,
and his iPad. In response to Parent’s challenge that Student was not accessing his iPad
enough at home, Tompkins testified that it was necessary “to honor” any way a student
communicates, especially if the student had multiple means to do so. She further
opined that augmented assistance was not limited to an iPad and that Student’s overall
ability with such devices were classified as “emerging.” In her opinion, no one should
force Student to choose one particular form of communication over another one, such
as favoring an iPad. She recommended that augmentative assistance goals should
expand Student’s communicative contexts and partners to provide Student with total
communication.
Tompkins’ written report was given to Parent before the May 7, 2019 IEP
meeting. Tomkins amended the report once Parent provided additional information at
that meeting. Tompkins recommended continued placement of Student at TERI along
with supportive speech and language services.
Tompkins was knowledgeable about Student’s speech and language needs and
had prior experiences with Student before the evaluation. Tompkins’ assessment
identified Student’s functional needs in speech and language to be considered in
developing the May 2019 IEP.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSESSMENT
Betsy Slavik conducted an occupational therapy assessment in February 2019.
Slavik prepared a written report dated February 27, 2019, which was amended on
March 11, 2019. She had a Master of Arts degree and was a registered occupational
therapist.
Slavik reviewed Student’s records, interviewed Student’s teacher, observed
Student on two separate occasions, and attempted administering various assessment
instruments, including standardized tests as part of her assessment. She requested
input from Parents but received no response.
Slavik measured Student’s sensory processing abilities and their effect on
Student’s functional performance. Student demonstrated sensory processing concerns
“Much More than Others” in the areas of auditory, movement, and behavior influences
by sensory processing. Student primarily sought out movement and visual input.
Student was very mobile and was attracted to computer screens with fast-paced,
brightly colored objects. Student also demonstrated sensitivity to auditory, touch, and
movement input.
Slavik concluded in her report that Student benefited from visual structure and
support for understanding verbal and demonstrated instructions, along with frequent
breaks to manage his sensory behaviors. Student also benefited from a quiet learning
environment and one-on-one support.
Slavik attempted to administer the visual-motor integration test. Student had
difficulty completing the standardized test. This difficulty did not affect the results.
Based upon the assessment, Student showed areas of need in motor planning multistep activities, attention, and focus particularly with non-preferred tasks, expanding
independence and his repertoire of vocational tasks, and independent self-care.
Slavik’s written report was given to Parent before the May 7, 2019 IEP team
meeting. Slavik was knowledgeable about Student’s functional needs in the area of
occupational therapy and she recommended services and supports for Student.
ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSESSMENTS
Jean Young, Poway’s adapted physical education specialist, evaluated Student on
March 4, 2019, and prepared a written report dated March 4, 2019. Young reviewed
Student’s records and observed him in the classroom and playground settings, including
watching Student play with a weighted ball and a modified form of basketball. Young
concluded that Student met the eligibility requirements for adapted physical education
services and demonstrated gross motor skills below his age level due to his disabilities.
She recommended continued adapted physical education services to improve his gross
motor skills. Her report did not specify any specific services.
Dan Cicchelli, a physical therapist, evaluated Student for educational, physical
therapy on March 4, 2019, and prepared a written report dated March 5, 2019. His
assessment included observations in both the classroom and the play areas. He
solicited Parent input but received no response.
Cicchelli opined that Student was functioning adequately enough to access both
the classroom and play areas and was making progress in the learning environment. He
reported that TERI staff observed Student stumbling a couple of times a day, but the
staff was able to assist him. He did not observe that Student had difficulty accessing his
educationally based activities due to a physical ability. Cicchelli concluded that Student
did not qualify for educationally based physical therapy services at that time. He
recommended that Parent request a soft-shelled helmet if there were concerns Student
may stumble during an outing.
Poway provided the Young and Cicchelli reports to Parents before the May 7,
2019 IEP meeting.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Stacy Munro evaluated Student on March 18, 2016 and prepared a written report
of the same date. She was a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in
nursing and was employed by Poway since 2016.
Munro reviewed the health history on file for Student and conducted a physical
assessment of Student she could update his health history with any new information.
She based her assessment on input from Parent, a hearing and vision screening, as well
as her daily observations of Student. Student responded appropriately to sounds and
was able to track a red ball both at near and far distances at 20/30 vision. Student
navigated his environment well.
Munro recommended that the IEP team implement “sufficient levels of support”
for Student so that he could be successful at school, although the report did not list
specific suggestions. Munro worked with staff on a written emergency plan to be
followed in the event of any significant seizures suffered by Student. Munro opined that
Student required close supervision for safety reasons due to his seizures and that school
staff should log each seizure and communicate with Parents each time they occur.
The report was given to Parent before the IEP meeting on May 7, 2019. Munro
completed a written emergency plan in the event of severe seizures occurring with
Student and this was provided to Parent as well.
2019 IEP TEAM MEETINGS
Unless excused in writing, the IEP team must include: 1) one or both of the
student’s parents or their representative, 2) a regular education teacher if a student is, or
may be, participating in the regular education environment, 3) a special education
teacher, and 4) a representative of the school district who is qualified to provide or
supervise specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with
disabilities, is knowledgeable about the general education curriculum and is
knowledgeable about available resources. (34 C.F.R. § 300.321(a).) The IEP team is also
required to include an individual who can interpret the instructional implications of
assessment results, and, at the discretion of the parent or school district, include other
individuals who have the knowledge or special expertise regarding the child. (34 C.F.R. §
300.321(a).)
Parents of a child with a disability must be afforded an opportunity to participate
in meetings with respect to the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of
the child, and the provision of FAPE to the child. (34 C.F.R. § 300.501(b) & (c); Ed. Code,
§§ 56304, 56341.) Each public agency must take steps to ensure that one or both of the
parents of a child with a disability are present at each IEP team meeting or afforded the
opportunity to participate, including notifying parents of the meeting early enough to
ensure that they will have an opportunity to attend and scheduling the meeting at a
mutually agreed on time and place. (34 C.F.R. § 300.322(a).) In addition to other
requirements, the notice must indicate the purpose, time, location of the meeting, and
who will be in attendance. (34 C.F.R. § 300.322(b)(1)(i).) It must also inform the parents
of the provisions in 34 Code of Federal Regulations part 300.321(a)(6) and (c) relating to
the participation of other individuals on the IEP team who have the knowledge or
special expertise about the child. (34 C.F.R. § 300.322(b)(1)(ii).)
States must establish and maintain certain procedural safeguards to ensure that
each student with a disability receives the FAPE to which the student is entitled and that
parents are involved in the formulation of the student’s educational program. (Target
Range (9th Cir. 1992) 960 F.2d at 1483. To fulfill the goal of parental participation in the
IEP process, the school district is required to conduct a meaningful IEP meeting. (Target
Range, supra, 960 F.2d at p. 1485.) A parent has meaningfully participated in the
development of an IEP when he or she is informed of the child’s problems, attends the
IEP meeting, expresses disagreement regarding the IEP team’s conclusions, and requests
revisions in the IEP. (N.L. v. Knox County Schools (6th Cir. 2003) 315 F.3d 688, 693;
Fuhrmann v. East Hanover Board of Education (3d Cir. 1993) 993 F.2d 1031, 1036 [parent
who has an opportunity to discuss a proposed IEP and whose concerns are considered
by the IEP team has participated in the IEP process in a meaningful way].)
The IDEA explicitly requires formal written notice to parents when an educational
agency proposes, or refuses, to initiate or change the educational placement of a
disabled child. (See 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1415(b)(1)(C); Union School District v. B Smith 2-7
Union School District, (9th Cir. 1994) 15 F.3d 1519 [“The requirement of a formal, written
offer creates a clear record that will do much to eliminate troublesome factual disputes
many years later about when placements were offered, what placements were offered,
and what additional educational assistance was offered to supplement a placement, if
any.”]
Poway met the notice requirements for an IEP meeting on May 7, 2019. The IEP
team met for Student’s triennial and annual review on May 7, 2019. Parent was offered
written procedural safeguards and a review of this information. Parent declined and
indicated he was familiar with the protections.
All required people attended the meeting. Parent, the special education teacher,
representatives of both Poway and TERI who were qualified to provide or supervise
specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities, and
all of the assessors except Young, Cicchelli, and Munro, were present. There was no
general education teacher present since Student was placed in a special education
setting only.
Poway provided all assessment reports to Parent. The IEP team considered
Student’s communication challenges, occupational therapy challenges, behavioral
needs, strengths, progress and transportation assistance provided by Poway. Parent
provided some feedback to Tompkins during the meeting. Parent told the team that
Student did not use his iPad device for prompting at home. Tompkins later updated her
report on June 10, 2019, to incorporate Parent’s concerns. The IEP team agreed to
reconvene the meeting to complete a review of the remaining triennial assessments and
to complete its development of the IEP.
On May 23, 2019, the IEP team met and completed the review of the remaining
assessment reports. Parent was offered and declined written procedural safeguards and
a review of this information. All parties were in attendance except the transportation
assistant director, Mori, and Tomkins, who had been excused with Parent consent. Also,
in attendance were Young, Cicchelli, and Munro. Parent questioned some of the
assessors, and the IEP team agreed a third meeting was necessary. Parent also indicated
that he had more questions for Tompkins, who had been excused. The team decided to
convene a third meeting on June 12, 2019, and request Tomkins attend.
At the June 12, 2019 IEP meeting, Parent was again offered and declined written
procedural safeguards and a review of this information. Mori, Slavik, and Young did not
attend. Cicchelli was excused with Parent’s consent and did not attend. Tompkins
attended the June 12, 2019 meeting and responded to Parent’s additional questions
about the assessment sessions and her recommendations. Tomkins also shared that she
updated her report with Parent’s input from the meeting on May 7, 2019. Hughes, who
was in attendance at all meetings, discussed Student’s current communication skills and
levels in the school setting, with and without his adaptive devices.
At the close of the June 2019 meeting, Poway team members were prepared to
present an IEP offer and go over the proposed goals one-by-one. The Poway and TERI
members offered to compare each proposed goal with the prior goals to determine
which goals Parent believed needed adjustment. Parent requested more time to review
the assessments and goals before he consented to them.
Parent also raised concerns of bias regarding Poway’s psychoeducational
evaluation, as he had previously requested Fouts-Doig be removed as case manager.
Poway agreed to fund an independent psychoeducational assessment. The IEP team
agreed to reconvene once the independent evaluation was completed, which would
give Parent more time to consider the offer of FAPE. Parent agreed to “move forward”
to focus on the details of the proposed annual classroom goals by the next meeting.
The independent psychoeducational assessment was completed by Robert M.
Gray, Ph.D. Poway sent Parent written notice of an IEP meeting to review the
assessment on October 24, 2019. The IEP team reconvened on October 24, 2019. Mori,
Slavik, Tompkins, Young, and Cicchelli did not attend. The latter two were excused with
Parent’s consent. During the meeting, Parent indicated he would not sign the consent
form as to the excusal of Tompkins and Slavik. Tompkins and Slavik were not required
members at the October 24, 2019 IEP team meeting. (See 34 C.F.R. § 300.321(a).) Gray
presented his report by telephone during the meeting. The IEP team reviewed the
report with Dr. Gray. The IEP team questioned Gray and concluded his findings aligned
with Poway’s psychoeducational assessment. The meeting ended without Parent
consenting to the May 7, 2019 IEP document.
On November 1, 2019, Poway provided Parents with prior written notice, via
email and certified mail, return receipt requested, reiterating the formal offer of FAPE
and requesting Parents’ consent. Parent did not consent to the May 7, 2019 IEP, as
finalized on October 24, 2019. During four IEP meetings, the IEP team reviewed
Student’s assessments, placement, present levels of performance, goals, and services.
Parent’s questions and concerns were addressed in May 7, May 23, June 12, and
October 24, meetings and documented in the meeting notes. Parent attended all four
meetings and meaningfully participated in each meeting.
While Parent did not excuse Tompkins and Slavik from the fourth meeting, each
of those assessors was present at two other meetings, and Parent extensively
questioned them. The failure of those two assessors to attend the last meeting was not
a procedural violation. Poway provided Parent with a copy of the final IEP offer and
meeting notes. Poway met the procedural requirements of title 34 Code of Federal
Regulations § 300.501(b) & (c) and Education Code, §§ 56304, 56341.
PARENT’S PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPING STUDENT’S IEP
Parent contends that Poway interfered with his participation by failing to allow
him to observe Student for more than 30 minutes, once per day, because he was unable
to verify the accuracy of school staff reports about Student’s progress at TERI.
The IDEA’s procedural safeguards are intended to protect the informed
involvement of parents in the development of an education for their child. (Winkelman
v. Parma City School Dist. (2007) 550 U.S. 516, 524 [127 S. Ct. 1994].) “[T]he informed
involvement of parents” is central to the IEP process. (Id.) Protection of parental
participation is “[a]mong the most important procedural safeguards” in the IDEA.
(Amanda J. v. Clark County School Dist. (9th Cir. 2001) 267 F.3d 877, 882); Fuhrmann v.
East Hanover Board of Educ. (3rd Cir. 1993) 993 F.2d 1031, 1036 [parent who has an
opportunity to discuss a proposed IEP and whose concerns are considered by the IEP
team has participated in the IEP process in a meaningful way].). A procedural violation
results in a denial of FAPE if it impedes the child’s right to a FAPE, significantly impedes
the parents’ opportunity to participate in the decision-making process regarding the
provision of a FAPE to the parent’s child or causes a deprivation of educational benefits.
(20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(3)(E)(ii); Ed. Code, § 56505, subd. (f)(2).
According to Parent, the reports from TERI staff were suspect because the
reported behavior was substantially different from Parent’s observations of Student’s
behavior at home. TERI staff reported that Student was making progress in the areas of
toileting, communication, and use of his iPad. Parent claimed that at home, Student
often did not access his iPad to communicate and had difficulty toileting. Parent also
stated Student needed more prompting at home than was reported at school.
Parent requested that he be permitted to observe Student all day at TERI so he
could verify the accuracy of school staff’s reports and to determine if Student was
making progress. TERI representatives told Parent he could observe Student for 30
minutes, one time per day. TERI was located in Oceanside, California. Parent worked
and resided in San Diego. According to Parent’s testimony, the commuting time
between TERI and Parent’s residence or workplace did not justify only one 30-minute
observation per day. Parent did not observe Student at TERI because of the long
commute and 30-minute time limit.
Patricia Friedman was the non-public school director at TERI. Friedman oversaw
the operation at TERI, supervised the teachers and instructors, and participated in
Student’s IEP development. Friedman testified at the hearing. TERI’s procedure
required parents to “pre-arrange” any visits, and limit observation to 30 minutes per
visit. At the hearing, Friedman claimed she was usually “flexible” but conceded she did
not offer Parent more than a 30 minute, one-per-day window. According to Friedman,
this policy was in place for the safety of the staff, parents, and students. Many of the
TERI students had behavior needs, additional “bodies” in the classroom would have
been disruptive, and Parent’s presence might have impacted Student’s behavior or
change his performance.
Poway and TERI permitted its assessors’ observations longer than three hours.
For example, occupational therapist Dalby was permitted two observations, with one as
long as two hours. Poway psychologist Fouts-Doig observed Student on two occasions,
with one observation one-and-a-half hours in length. Diaz was permitted a three-andone-half hour observation when she was doing the functional behavior assessment.
Tompkins was allowed one hour to observe Student to complete her speech and
language evaluation.
Although Parent elected not to observe for the 30-minute window, his reasoning
was understandable. Parent’s objections to the offer of FAPE were related to the
disparity between what he saw at home, versus what TERI and Poway staff observed at
the school. An observation for longer than 30 minutes could have permitted Parent
more input in the IEP process so that Parent could verify the accuracy of TERI staff’s
reports, for himself. Poway’s limitation on Parent’s observations impeded Parent’s
participation in the IEP process.
In a District-filed case conducted under Education Code. section 56505, a hearing
officer shall not base a decision solely on non-substantive procedural errors unless the
hearing officer finds that the non-substantive procedural errors resulted in the loss of an
educational opportunity to the pupil or interfered with the opportunity of the parent or
guardian of the pupil to participate in the formulation process of the individualized
education program. (Ed. Code, § 56505, subd. (j).)
Parent was contacted by Poway’s evaluators and invited to participate in the
assessment process. Parent responded to requests for information from some assessors
and not from others. Poway provided all of the assessment reports to Parent before the
first May 7, 2019 IEP meeting, as well as subsequent amendments. Parent attended
every IEP team meeting. He asked questions, obtained an independent educational
evaluation, asked to have an assessor return to answer further questions and one
assessor updated her report to include Parent’s input. Each session was suspended and
reconvened to ensure Parent participation.
The final IEP team meeting was held over from June 2019 to October 2019 to
allow Parent to go over the proposed goals and review the findings of the then-pending
independent neuropsychological evaluation by Gray. Parent was given opportunities at
all the IEP team meetings to raise objections and concerns, and the notes of the IEP
team meetings reflect that the IEP team took those suggestions seriously and
implemented many of them. After the final session in October of 2019, the IEP team
gave Parent additional time to consider the proposed offer, raise any concerns, or to
consent to the IEP.
Although Poway limited Parent’s access to observe his child at TERI by not
allowing Parent time commensurate with the time allowed assessors to conduct
assessments, this limitation alone did not interfere with Parent’s ability to meaningfully
participate in the formulation process of the individualized education program.
GOALS
An IEP is a written document for each child with a disability that includes: a
statement of the child’s present levels of academic achievement and functional
performance, including how the child’s disability affects the child’s involvement and
progress in the general education curriculum; and a statement of measurable annual
goals, including academic and functional goals, designed to meet the child’s needs that
result from the child’s disability to enable the child to be involved in and make progress
in the general education curriculum, and meet each of the child’s other educational
needs that result from the child’s disability. (20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A); 34 C.F.R. §
300.320.
The IEP must include appropriate objective criteria, evaluation procedures, and
schedules for determining, on at least an annual basis, whether the annual goals are
being achieved, and a statement of how the student’s progress toward the goals will be
measured. (Jessica E. v. Compton Unified School Dist. (C.D. Cal. 2017, No. CV16-04356-
BRO) 2017 WL 2864945; see also Ed. Code, § 56345; 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)A)(i).) An
examination of the goals in an IEP is central to the determination of whether a student
received a FAPE. “[W]e look to the [IEP] goals and goal achieving methods at the time
the plan was implemented and ask whether these methods were reasonably calculated
to confer … a meaningful benefit.” (Adams v. State of Oregon (9th Cir. 1999) 195 F.3d
1141, 1149.)
The purpose of annual goals is to permit the IEP team to determine whether the
pupil is making progress in an area of need. (Ed. Code, § 56345, subd. (a).) For each
area in which a special education student has an identified need, the IEP team must
develop measurable annual goals that are based upon the child’s present levels of
academic achievement and functional performance, and which the child has a
reasonable chance of attaining within a year. (Ed. Code, § 56345; Letter to Butler (OSERS
1988) 213 IDELR 118.) The IEP team need not draft IEP goals in a manner that the
parents find optimal, as long as the goals are objectively measurable. (Bridges v.
Spartanburg County School Dist. Two (D.S.C. 2011, No. 7:10-cv-01873-JMC) 57 IDELR
128 [the use of percentages tied to the completion of discrete tasks was an appropriate
way to measure student progress].). The IEP must contain a description of how the
child’s progress toward meeting the annual goals described will be measured and when
periodic reports on the progress the child is making toward meeting the annual goals
(such as through the use of quarterly or other periodic reports, concurrent with the
issuance of report cards) will be provided. 20 U.S.C.A. § 1414(d)(1)(A)(iii).
Student’s present levels of performance were documented in the IEP along with
the proposed goals and Student’s baseline in each goal area. Student’s present levels of
performance were reviewed by qualified Poway and TERI staff, including Felix, Friedman,
Fouts-Doig, Slavik, Mori, Dalby, Diaz, Tompkins, Hughes, and Munro.
Under the category of “Preacademic and Academic Functional Skills,” Student
was beginning to recognize symbols, learning to match symbols to school locations, and
beginning to use symbols to convey his wants and needs. Student was able to hold a
writing utensil and make marks on the page when requested to draw a symbol. In
group sessions, Student often needed redirection from his one-on-one aide.
In communication and social skills, Student was considered a social student and
liked to share things with peers and staff. He would often get their attention by a tap
on the arm or by saying, “Oh, look!” Student relied upon multiple communication
modalities to convey his wants and needs. Student was beginning to use picture
symbols to communicate his wants and needs. When asked his name, Student was
starting to select his name from an adaptive access device independently.
Under the category of Gross and Fine Motor Development, Student had made
great strides to complete gross motor tasks such as running, jumping, throwing, kicking,
and catching. With light prompting, Student could be instructed to use both of his
hands. Student liked vocational tasks and will often request to do them in his free time,
including watering, hanging up clothes, and using the shredder. TERI staff commonly
used these tasks as rewards to Student for good behavior. Student had increased his
independence with many self-care needs, such as toileting, hand washing, and
preparing his lunch. He was familiar with his daily schedule and arrived at school, ready
to change into his school shoes and to begin the day.
The May 7, 2019 IEP document offered ten goals. Each of the ten goals provided
the Student’s current baseline and provided a stair-stepped objective throughout the
year to meet each annual goal.
• Goals one, seven and ten addressed Student’s occupational therapy and prevocational needs;
• Goals two and nine addressed Student’s daily living and behavior needs;
• Goals three through six addressed Student’s speech and communication needs;
and,
• Goal eight addressed Student’s functional replacement behavior.
In goal number one, Student was required to complete four matching, fine
motor, and visual-motor integration tasks with no more than two gestural prompts per
task, on four out of five consecutive school days, as measured by teacher data. Goal
number two required student to follow one-step directions, for example “put in” or
“give me,” without displaying targeted behaviors with 80% accuracy across three
consecutive days as measured by teacher data.
In goal number three, after being shown a symbol, Student was expected to
identify the symbol and then physically go to the object depicted by the symbol in eight
of ten opportunities over three consecutive days. As an example, Felix testified that
Student would be shown a symbol for “outside,” and Student would be required to
identify the symbol and then go the location outside. At the time of the October 24,
2019 IEP meeting, Student was capable of matching “outside” over three consecutive
days.
Goal number four required Student to find an exemplar from a superordinate
category using any modality, eight out of ten opportunities across three consecutive
data collection sessions. For example, Student could select a “reward” category and
then would select a preferred video or activity within that category. Goal number five
required student to acquire eight different vocabulary symbols in the context of daily
functional activities across three consecutive data collections.
Goal number six required Student to open his adaptive device and retrieve his
personal information when asked, “What is your name,” including retrieving an ID card
and verbally saying his name 80% of the time. Goal number seven required student to
participate in structure-movement and heavy-work breaks, such as playing with the
weighted ball play. This activity was to occur throughout the day to assist him with
sensory and emotional regulation, on at least two occasions per day for ten minutes
each, as measured by the teacher and occupational therapy data. In goal number eight,
Student would increase his use of functional communications to request a break from a
baseline of 0% of opportunities to 20% of opportunities as measured by teacher data.
Goal number nine required student to decrease instances of targeted behaviors
by 20% from the current baseline of one-and-a-half-day average as measured by
teacher data. Goal number ten required students to complete three novel four-step
chores and daily living tasks with 80% accuracy, per task, across three consecutive days
as measured by the teacher and occupational therapy data.
Parent contends that the goals offered by Poway in the May 7, 2019 IEP were
“dumbed down” or vague. Although Poway and TERI reported Student had mastered
the prior objectives in 21 goals, Parent was not seeing those goals translate to Student’s
conduct at home. Parent thought that the proposed goals were not measurable, and
that Student still needed constant prompting at home. Parent cited goal number three
as an example. Parent questioned that choosing a location or shape was not explicitly
defined in the IEP and that there was no way of adequately measuring whether Student
was achieving the goal. Parent felt that the goals would not be measurable and capable
of being implemented if Poway placed Student at another school. The evidence did not
support Parent’s contentions.
Teacher Felix was responsible for creating many of the goals. Felix had been
familiar with Student since September of 2018. Felix held a master’s degree in
education and applied behavior therapy and was a board-certified behavior analyst.
Student was in a separate room with his one-on-one aid, and Felix saw him three times
during the day. She also visited Student whenever he suffered a seizure.
Felix relied upon Student’s existing goals, assessments, and data to work on his
progress. Based upon Felix’s observations, the 2019 assessments completed for the
triennial review were accurate depictions of Student’s current levels. Her practice was to
prepare draft goals, send them to parents, and request input before IEP meetings. She
followed that practice before each of Student’s 2019 IEP team meetings. She did not
recall receiving any feedback from Parent on the draft goals.
When preparing the goals in the proposed May 7, 2019 IEP document, Felix
collaborated with Slavik, Hughes, and TERI Director Friedman. Felix opined that the
proposed goals in the 2019 IEP were appropriate since they were all premised upon
Student’s present levels of performance contained in the baselines. The proposed goals
were intended to make Student independent. Felix opined that the goals were not too
easy for Student, and if achieved, would provide Student with measurable success.
Friedman, TERI’s director, opined that the goals were measurable, and will
challenge Student. In proposing the goals, the IEP team relied upon the baselines where
Student was currently functioning and offered goals he could meet over the next year.
In her opinion, the goals were not “dumbed down.” The purpose of the goals was to
build off of Student’s existing skills and teach him different locations, including areas
outside of school. Friedman opined that Student would be more compliant if he knew
where he was going, or how to ask for a break.
Hughes, TERI’s speech and language pathologist, worked on the goals for
Student. Hughes had a master’s degree in clinical competence in speech and language,
a Ph.D. in communication science, and was credentialed in California, Ohio, Iowa, and
Indiana. Hughes’ primary expertise was autism and communication, and she had
assessed over 500 students and attended approximately 700 IEP meetings. She
provided direct speech and language services and supervised the language and speech
service providers at TERI. Hughes observed him during speech therapy and in other
locations on campus and worked with Student at least once a week.
Five of the ten goals offered in the May 7, 2019 IEP document impacted Student’s
speech and communication needs. Hughes opined that these goals were appropriate
based upon the four IEP team meeting and the results of the speech and language and
psychoeducational assessments. She also reached this opinion based upon her firsthand experience working with and observing Student. Based upon Student’s current
performance levels, if he met the proposed goals, they would cause Student to show
improvement in both academic and communication skills. Hughes credibly opined that
the speech goals offered Student enough rigor to provide benefit.
Occupational therapist Dalby was involved in discussing and developing goal
numbers one, seven, and ten. In her opinion, these goals were appropriate. Her view
was based on Slavik’s March 2019 assessment report as well as her observations of
Student’s progress. Dalby opined that the goals set in the May 2019 IEP were not “too
easy.” She opined the proposed goals were more challenging than Student’s prior goals
and were structured in a way to allow Student to meet those goals within one year of
implementation.
Lisa Dreyer was one of four special education directors at Poway and the director
for Poway’s Self Education Local Plan Agency. She was brought into the 2019 IEP
process in the Spring of 2019 to act as an interim case manager, move the matter
forward, and make sure the IEP was implemented. During the various IEP meetings,
Parent did not explicitly disagree with any goal. She also noted that Parent did not
claim the goals were either too easy or too challenging during the IEP meetings.
Despite her efforts to have Parent consent to the IEP, Parent did not reach out at any
point to explain why he objected to any particular goal.
Poway proved that the ten proposed goals were appropriate and measurable.
Poway was not required to draft IEP goals in a manner that Parent found optimal. While
certain areas were not overly defined, such as the specific shape or what location
Student would correctly identify, the goals were sufficiently clear and unambiguous for
the staff and providers to measure. All ten goals were based upon Student’s present
levels of academic achievement and functional performance. The IEP included
appropriate objective criteria evaluation procedures and schedules for determining
whether the annual goals were being achieved and stated how Student’s progress
toward the goals would be measured. Student had a reasonable chance of attaining
each goal within a year.
SUBSTANTIVE REQUIREMENTS
PLACEMENT
In determining the educational placement of a child with a disability, a school
district must ensure that:
• The placement decision is made by a group of persons including the parents
and other persons knowledgeable about the child, the meaning of the
evaluation data, and the placement options, and takes into account the
requirement that children be educated in the least restrictive environment;
• Placement is determined annually, is based on the child’s IEP, and is as close
as possible to the child’s home;
• Unless the IEP specifies otherwise, the child attends the school that he or she
would if non-disabled;
• In selecting the least restrictive environment, consideration is given to any
potential harmful effect on the child or the quality of services that he or she
needs; and,
• A child with a disability is not removed from education in age-appropriate
regular classrooms solely because of needed modifications in the general
education curriculum. (34 C.F.R. § 300.116.)
California’s implementing regulations define a “specific educational placement” as “that
unique combination of facilities, personnel, location or equipment necessary to provide
instructional services to an individual with exceptional needs.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5,
§ 3042, subd. (a).)
To conclude whether a special education student could be satisfactorily educated
in a regular education environment, the Ninth Circuit has balanced the following factors:
• “The educational benefits of placement full-time in a regular class”;
• “the nonacademic benefits of such placement”;
• “The effect [the student] had on the teacher and children in the regular class”;
and,
• “The costs of mainstreaming [the student].” (Sacramento City Unified School
Dist. v. Rachel H. (9th Cir. 1994) 14 F.3d 1398, 1404.)
If a school district determines that a child cannot be educated in a general
education environment, then the least restrictive environment analysis requires
determining whether the child has been mainstreamed to the maximum extent that is
appropriate in light of the continuum of program options. (Daniel R.R. v. State Board of
Education (5th Cir. 1989) 874 F.2d 1036, 1050.) The continuum of program options
includes, but is not limited to: regular education; resource specialist programs;
designated instruction and services; special classes; nonpublic, nonsectarian schools;
state special schools; specially designed instruction in settings other than classrooms;
itinerant instruction in settings other than classrooms; and instruction using
telecommunication instruction or instruction in the home, in hospitals, or other
institutions. (Ed. Code, § 56361.)
Here, no one contends that Student should be placed, either full time or parttime, in a regular general education class. Hughes opined that TERI was the appropriate
placement. She believed at the time of the offer of FAPE, Student was making
measurable progress. Student required intensive support for behavior and
communication. TERI had staff who were very knowledgeable about Student and in the
areas of speech, communication, occupational therapy, and education. The level of staff
training was exceptional. TERI provided Student with the structure he required.
Gray’s independent evaluation report corroborated the testimony of Poway’s
witnesses. In his evaluation, Gray observed that Student demonstrated a much higher
capacity to complete many functional tasks and applied skills in his structured school
setting than in clinical examination settings. Gray opined that Student required
comprehensive intervention services targeting his seizure control, and behavioral and
functional goals. Gray concluded that the structured program at TERI was actually
enhancing Student’s abilities. He recommended continued placement at TERI with
intensive services, including maintaining a one-on-one aide. He observed that TERI staff
was flexible and willing to modify the curriculum to meet Student’s needs.
Concerning the non-academic benefits, Student was very social and regularly
interacted with his peers and staff. Student was a happy and vibrant child and showed
the capacity to learn and improve in the program at TERI. The IEP contained goals,
which could be implemented at TERI, to have Student more involved in community
outings and group activities.
Parent did not propose an alternative, less restrictive placement. Parent was
concerned with the placement of Student at TERI because he was not allowed to
observe Student beyond 30 minutes per day. Parent disputed the accuracy of the
reports by TERI staff regarding Student’s progress. For example, Student’s dependence
on stickers since third grade as a reward for being on task indicated to Parent that
Student was not making progress.
Parent was concerned about Student’s safety during a seizure. Parent informed
the IEP team that Student preferred a couch or bed to lie down when he had a seizure.
TERI did not have either. Parent offered to purchase a couch or bed for Student to use
at school, but the school turned down the offer. Munro agreed to look at protocols
related to Student’s seizures to ensure that he was adequately protected. Munro
recommended a new, larger beanbag chair for Student to provide a comfortable resting
place for Student to recover. The team agreed to order the chair and added it to the list
of accommodations.
Director Friedman of TERI defined the least restrictive environment as an
environment that met Student’s needs with appropriate supports and did not impose
unnecessary supports. Friedman observed that TERI was one of the more restrictive
programs in San Diego county. However, it was less restrictive than a residential
treatment center. In her opinion, Student benefited from a small classroom with a oneon-one aide and thrived with structure. Student made significant progress since starting
at TERI. She pointed to the fact that when he first began attending TERI, he refused to
get on the bus at least 50 percent of the time. By the October 2019 meeting, he was
getting on the bus almost 100 percent of the time. His attendance at school increased,
and he made tangible progress on his goals.
The overwhelming evidence established that Student progressed and thrived at
TERI. There was no evidence of a less restrictive environment that could meet Student’s
needs. The teachers and staff at TERI were attentive to Student’s diverse educational
needs, were able to address Student’s needs, and to implement his IEP. Poway offered
an appropriate placement in the least restrictive environment for Student.
RELATED SERVICES
In line with all of the assessments, Poway also offered appropriate support
services to Student. Parent did not contest the services offered.
The IEP team reviewed Student’s services during all four meetings. Poway
offered:
• Specialized Academic Instruction for 1,500 minutes per week;
• Individual speech and language services for 60 minutes per week;
• Individual occupational therapy services for 30 minutes per week;
• Occupational therapy consultation to staff for 270 minutes per year;
• Adapted physical education consultation for 150 minutes per year;
• Health and training for staff by Poway nurse for 15 minutes per year;
• Transportation and accompanying services, including aides and behavior training
to be faded out as needed; and,
• Extended school year for 2020 for 11 weeks at TERI.
In addition to the speech, language, and adapted physical education services,
Poway had also been providing Student with occupational therapy services. Janice
Dalby was a registered occupational therapist with a Bachelor of Science degree in
occupational therapy. Dalby was the President and Director of K.I.D.S. Therapy
Associates, Inc., and held that position since 2003. Dalby provided Student with
occupational therapy services at TERI since he began attending in 2018, and she was
familiar with the assessment report created by Slavik. She was also a member of the IEP
team and participated in the May and June 2019 IEP meetings.
When Student first began attending TERI in 2018, he did not use his right hand
consistently. After receiving occupational therapy services at that time, he was able to
use his right hand in an assistive manner, such as pushing a wagon or pulling a
wheelchair. Student could functionally grasp a writing tool and hold and use scissors,
but he could not use a writing tool to draw shapes or other diagrams. Student
scribbled. Dalby opined that Student was making outstanding progress and that the
recommended services and goals in the May 7, 2019 IEP, which impacted occupational
therapy, were appropriate for Student’s current level of ability.
Each of the examiners indicated what additional educational services they
believed Student needed to progress and meet the proposed goals. The recommended
categories of service were also intended to address Student seizures and his ability to
recover from those seizures during the school day. The IEP team discussed and offered
extended school year services. The IEP team recommended Student participate in the
extended school year because his on-task behavior had improved during the school
year, and the school break might affect his on-task behavior, including regression and
recoupment of his interfering behaviors. The IEP described the days and dates of the
extended school year and the special education and related services Poway offered
Student.
The evidence established the services and level of support were sufficient to
enable Student to make progress appropriate in light of Student’s circumstances. The
May 2019 IEP presented a coherent, formal, written offer specifying the placement
Poway offered and the additional assistance to supplement a placement, consistent with
the requirements of title 20 United States Code Section 1415(b)(1)(C). The placement
and services Poway offered Student in the May 2019 IEP constituted a FAPE in the least
restrictive environment.
CONCLUSIONS AND PREVAILING PARTY
As required by California Education Code section 56507, subdivision (d), the
hearing decision must indicate the extent to which each party has prevailed on each
issue heard and decided.
Poway School District’s May 7, 2019 individualize education program offered
Student a free appropriate public education. Poway School District prevailed on the
sole issue in this case.
ORDER
Poway may implement the May 2019 IEP without parental consent.
RIGHT TO APPEAL THIS DECISION
This is a final administrative decision, and all parties are bound by it. Pursuant to
Education Code section 56505, subdivision (k), any party may appeal this Decision to a
court of competent jurisdiction within 90 days of receipt.
Brian H. Krikorian
Administrative Law Judge
Office of Administrative Hearings