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RECENT DECISIONS
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Section 504: Accommodations address student's dyslexia; IDEA services unnecessary

The U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana held that a district complied with Section 504 and state law procedures by providing appropriate accommodations to a student with dyslexia. Grant ex rel. Grant v. St. James Parish Sch. Bd., 33 IDELR ¶ 212 (E.D. La. 11/08/00)

* Learn Section 504's requirements and how to accommodate specific disabilities with Section 504 Compliance Advisor.
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Speech/Language Therapy: Dual track therapy method confers appropriate educational benefit

An impartial hearing officer held that a school district's provision of speech/language therapy to a kindergartner, through a combination of a speech/language pathologist and an assistant, provided FAPE. Lavaca Sch. Dist., 4 ECLPR ¶ 237 (SEA AR 11/06/00)

* Understand how the courts determine if a child has received appropriate educational benefit under the IDEA with Appropriate Education for Students with Disabilities.
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Autism: Due process request, settlement agreement lead to systematic changes in autism program

A New Jersey administrative law judge incorporated into a final decision the terms of a settlement agreement between a district and the parents of a student with autism. In the agreement, the district committed to make systematic changes to its autism program, particularly in the area of applied behavioral analysis. East Orange Bd. of Educ. (SEA NJ 10/19/00)

Physical/Occupational Therapy: IHO rules against use of horses to provide therapy for child with CP

In a case involving a unique form of therapy, a California impartial hearing officer denied a parent's request that the district include equestrian therapy in the IEP of a 3-year-old child with cerebral palsy. The evidence supported a conclusion that the more traditional forms of physical and occupational therapy were adequate to meet the student's needs. Alvord Unified Sch. Dist., 4 ECLPR ¶ 240 (SEA CA 09/18/00)

* Find out the IDEA procedural requirements concerning both the IEP process and the document with the Answer Book on IEPs.
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