Due Process

When disputes regarding special education cannot be resolved, a party may participate in a due process hearing. Special rules are in place for conducting the hearing process. Hearing officers are assigned at the time of filing for a hearing. The hearing officer, in the beginning, checks to make sure that the parties are meeting their responsibilities during the first thirty days. During the first thirty days, the parties are in a settlement period. Services are offered by the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) to the parent and school to help the parties resolve their dispute. If the entire dispute cannot be resolved, then the unresolved issues move forward to a hearing.