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Special Ed. Learning℠
Real-world insight for Special Education Leaders. Explore legal decisions, prevent disputes, and improve support for students with disabilities.
OAH Case Summaries
Gain valuable insights from real-world cases to ensure compliance and support students better.
Parent on Behalf of Student v. New Haven Unified School District
August 27, 2025
District prevailed; the student failed to prove that the district materially failed to implement speech services, provide full records, or fund an independent psychoeducational evaluation. All relief was denied.
Irvine Unified School District v. Parents on Behalf of Student
August 22, 2025
District prevailed; the district was granted permission to remove a student to an interim alternative educational setting for 45 days without parental consent due to the substantial likelihood of injury to the student or others. The proposed placement was found to be appropriate.
Parent on Behalf of Student v. Mill Valley School District
August 21, 2025
Student prevailed on the procedural violation of Mill Valley’s failure to assess for sensory processing and pragmatic language, and the district was ordered to fund independent educational evaluations in these areas. However, the ALJ ruled largely in favor of the district on all other claims, denying all other requests for relief, including tuition reimbursement.
Parent on Behalf of Student v. San Dieguito Union High School District
August 18, 2025
District prevailed; the district was not required to fund an independent psychoeducational evaluation because a parent's right to an IEE is triggered by a disagreement with a completed district evaluation, and the parent had withdrawn consent for the district's evaluation before it was finished. All relief was denied.
SPED Management Case Studies
Learn how effective practices, smart resource use, and strong leadership can reshape special education for the better.
Special Education Finance and Program Quality
Balancing limited funding with student needs through data-driven, adaptive service models.
July 22, 2025
Discover how one district used staffing innovation, smart outsourcing, and real-time data tools to manage special education costs—while improving service quality and maintaining compliance.
Legal Fees Awarded in Special Education Case
Court Partially Grants Attorneys' Fees After IDEA Violation
June 27, 2025
Expatiate presents a pivotal legal victory in a due process case under IDEA. Our analysis supported a partial student win, resulting in over $318K in awarded attorneys’ fees. The outcome underscores the importance of compliance, strategic advocacy, and fair compensation.
Webinar Recordings
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September 3, 2025