Putting the Puzzle Together: Moving Beyond Quantitative Due Process Hearing Data

Due process hearings are financially and emotionally straining, yet very few studies have investigated previous hearings for the use of proactive planning. This session will present a descriptive analysis of 575 hearings from 41 States during the 2005-2006 year. Participants will explore trends with petitioner, disability, dispute, and outcome data. Following this discussion, data from a qualitative study about facilitated IEPs will also be described and discussed as an alternative to due process hearings. Participants will walk away with a good understanding of the special education climate with regard to hearing data, and future directions for research and practice.