Legal and Regulatory Information

The Student Hearing Office is pleased to announce the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s exit of the Blackman portion of the Blackman/Jones Consent Decree!

Please take a moment to read the official Public Service Announcement released by the Office of the Mayor on July 6, 2011:

Special Education Consent Decree Release [PDF]

Resolution Meeting, Due Process Hearing, and Final Decision Procedure

Section E-3030 of Title 5 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) sets forth the procedures regarding special education resolution meetings and due process hearings and decisions following the filing of an administrative due process complaint , as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, approved November 29, 1975 (P.L. 94-142; 89 Stat. 773; 20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq.) (IDEA).

Under the IDEA, a local education agency (LEA) or a parent may file a due process complaint on any matter relating to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a child with a disability or relating to the provision of a free and appropriate public education to the child.

The IDEA mandates that the parties convene a resolution meeting to resolve the complaint, unless waived by the parties or the parties engage in mediation. The IDEA also requires a timeline for an administrative hearing if the complaint is not otherwise resolved.

US Department of Education Resources:

• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, IDEA
• Procedural Safeguard: Due Process
• Procedural Safeguard: Mediation