Norwalk 26-0708

Complaint Summary

Date Findings Report Sent

  • July 6, 2026

Case Number

  • 26-0708

School District

  • Norwalk Public Schools

Person filing complaint

  • Parent

Grade Level

  • Middle School

Allegation(s)

  • The Parent alleged that Student’s IEPs prior to May 15, 2026, failed to address the Student’s literacy needs. (34 CFR §§ 300.324(a)(1) and 300.324(b)(1))
  • The Parent alleges that the District failed to provide prior written notice (PWN) regarding all proposals and refusals from the PPT meeting on May 15, 2026. (34 CFR § 300.503(b)(7) and RCSA § 10-76d-8(a))
  • The Parent alleges that the District made significant revisions to literacy goals and programming after the May 15, 2026, PPT meeting ended, without parent participation. (34 CFR §§ 300.324(a)(1) and 300.501(b)(1))

Conclusion(s)

  • Although the intensity and focus of the literacy programming within the Student’s IEP increased substantially after the FAR was reviewed at the PPT meeting on May 15, 2026, the District had been actively evaluating literacy concerns and revising services prior to that date. Throughout the year, the District convened multiple PPT meetings, proposed and conducted targeted assessments, made incremental service changes, and implemented a specialized reading class beginning in late March. While more comprehensive programming was ultimately deemed necessary, the District had consistently initiated evaluations, reviewed data, and modified services throughout the year in response to the Student’s literacy needs. Therefore, the District is not in violation of 34 CFR §§ 300.324(a)(1) and 300.324(b)(1).
  • PWN must be provided before a district proposes or refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of FAPE to a student. The Parent alleged that the District failed to document all proposals and refusals through PWN. Without a recording of the PPT meeting, it is challenging to ascertain what exactly transpired and whether these five specific items were points for discussion or requests made during the meeting. As the IDEA does not require school districts to specify teaching programs, methodologies, or curriculum, the District did not need to document their refusal of the requested FAR-consistent small-group/direct literacy intervention model and implementation of an alternative literacy model without finalized methodology, staffing, or completed teacher training. Additionally, SPIRE was not explicitly included in the Student’s programming within the IEP, so the removal was not subject to documentation through PWN. The District did document their refusal of an ESY out of district placement, and elective courses fall under general education programming, not anything within the parameters of the Student’s IEP so neither of these items are required to be documented through PWN. In terms of refusing to reconvene a PPT, this could be documented through PWN, but it is not required. Therefore, the District is not in violation of 34 CFR § 300.503(b)(7) and RCSA § 10-76d-8(a).
  • The District acknowledges that the Student’s literacy goals and objectives were not developed in entirety during the PPT meeting on May 15, 2026. However, the team agreed that the reading specialist would draft proposed literacy goals and objectives based on the FAR results. The District then sent its proposed goals to the Parent for input prior to finalization. In response, the Parent raised concerns about incomplete information and requested clarification regarding literacy methodology, implementation structure, differences from prior interventions, and progress monitoring, but did not request any changes to the proposed goals. Both parties failed to provide any further communication. To comply with required timelines, the District provided the finalized copy of the Student’s IEP. As the PPT meeting had allowed for discussion of the goals and objectives, and the District provided an opportunity for the Parent to provide feedback after the meeting, the District is not in violation of 34 CFR §§ 300.324(a)(1) and 300.501(b)(1).

Corrective Action(s)

  • None

Recommendations

  • The District should consider reconvening a PPT meeting to provide an opportunity for Parent input and a more robust discussion regarding the literacy goals and objectives.