Complaint Summary

Date Findings Report Sent:

October 31, 2024

Case Number:

25-0143

Grade Level:

Elementary

Person filing complaint:

Parent’s advocate

School District:

Bridgeport Public Schools (single student)

Allegation(s):

• The complainant alleges that the District did not respond to the Parent’s request for an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense nor did the district file a due process complaint in response to the Parent’s request, causing an unnecessary delay (34 CFR § 300.502(2)).

Conclusion(s):

• The District acknowledged that the Parent’s request for the IEEs went unanswered from August 13, 2024, until September 13, 2024. The delay in the District’s response is considered unnecessary, and therefore it is concluded that the District violated 34 CFR § 300.502(b)(2) by not approving the request for the IEEs or filing a due process complaint to request a hearing to show that its evaluation was appropriate. Corrective action is required.

Corrective Action(s):

• The District must provide training to the District’s special education and building administrators on the required response, timeline, and follow-up actions when a parent requests a publicly funded independent education evaluation (IEE). Documentation of the training shall be sent to this investigator on or before December 31, 2024. The documentation must include an overview of the training materials as well as staff signatures, titles, and date for all staff that participated.