An Analysis of Due Process Hearing Requests within the Ninth Circuit

Abstract

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, parents are entitled to due process procedural safeguards. These safeguards are intended to ensure that parents of children with disabilities are offered the educational rights as those without disabilities. Research in due process hearing requests nationwide is limited, and non-existent in the Ninth Circuit. This study analyzed demographic information for 1,077 due process hearing requests within the Ninth circuit over a span of ten years. Descriptive and frequency analysis were used to determine whether age ranges and eligibility categories are independent of procedural issues in due process hearing requests.