Stamford 26-0178

Complaint Summary

Date Findings Report Sent:

December 1, 2025

Case Number:

26-0178

Grade Level:

Elementary

Person filing complaint:

Parent

School District:

Stamford Public Schools

Allegation(s):

  • 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(4) failure to ensure that the IEP includes a statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services, based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable, to be provided to the child, or on behalf of the child, and a statement of the program modifications or supports for school personnel that will be provided to enable the child (i) to advance appropriately toward attaining the annual goals; (ii) to be involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum, and to participate in extracurricular and other nonacademic activities; and (iii) to be educated and participate with other children with disabilities and nondisabled children in the activities described in this section.
  • 34 CFR § 300.613(a) and RCSA §10-76d-18 failure to provide parents with the right to inspect and review any education records relating to their child which are collected, maintained or used by the board of education. (1) A request to inspect and review a child’s records shall be in writing. The board of education shall comply with a request to review and inspect the child’s education records without unnecessary delay and before any meeting regarding an IEP or any due process hearing or resolution session held in accordance with the IDEA; otherwise, the board of education shall comply with such request not later than ten days of such request. (2) The parents’ right to inspect and review the child’s records shall include the right to one free copy of those records. A request for the free copy shall be made in writing. The board of education shall comply with such request not later than ten days of such request.
  • 34 CFR § 300.501(b)(1) failure to ensure that parents of a child with a disability must be afforded an opportunity to participate in meetings with respect to
  • 34 CFR § 300.501(b)(i) the identification, evaluation, and education placement of the child and 34 CFR § 300.501(b)(ii) the provision of FAPE to the child. 34 CFR § 300.324(a)(1) failure to ensure that in developing each child’s IEP, the PPT must consider (i) the strengths of the child; (ii) the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child; (iii) the results of the initial or most recent evaluation of the child; and (iv) the academic, developmental, and functional needs of the child.
  • 34 CFR § 300.324(a)(2) failure to consider special factors, and in the case of a child whose behavior impedes the child’s learning or that of others, consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies, to address that behavior.
  • 34 CFR § 300.304(c) failure to ensure that (6) in evaluating each child with a disability under §§300.304 through 300.306, the evaluation is sufficiently comprehensive to identify all of the child’s special education and related service needs, whether or not commonly linked to the disability category in which the child has been classified and (7) assessment tools and strategies that provide relevant information that directly assists persons in determining the educational needs of the child are provided.
  • RCSA § 10-76d-19 failure to provide, as a related service, safe and appropriate transportation as required to implement the individualized education program for each child with a disability.

Conclusion(s):

  • While the District had not properly documented that the Student does exhibit behaviors that impede learning for self or others under Special Considerations on the IEP, there have been goals and objectives, adult support and additional accommodations in place to support the Student’s behavioral and educational needs well before the start of the investigation timeline. Furthermore, three-year reevaluations, reviewed at a PPT meeting include comprehensive and multidisciplinary testing. The District’s email to the Parent requesting to schedule a PPT to review behavioral concerns, ultimately led to the completion of an FBA and consequent BIP to be implemented. When the District felt that they were still unable to address all of the Student’s needs, they then sought a diagnostic placement. Therefore, the District is not in violation of 34 CFR § 300.320(a) or 34 CFR § 300.304(c).
  • While the District provided a large batch of CT-SEDS documents in response to the Parent’s written documentation request; raw behavioral data was not provided. The District asserts that the daily functional performance sheets were internal progress-monitoring tools rather than formal reports, but not all information recorded on the sheets was shared in progress reports. Additionally, raw data is still considered part of a Student’s educational record, and it would have been beneficial for the Parent to be provided with it in order to participate in discussions on educational placement. Therefore, the District is in violation of 34 CFR § 300.613(a), RCSA §10-76d-18, and 34 CFR § 300.501(b)(1).
  • The District provided transportation for the Student on her first day at the diagnostic placement, unfortunately, there was a regrettable mistake that occurred. The District acknowledged the mistake and ensured that it did not happen again. They continue to offer transportation for the Student, ensuring that transportation staff are trained in student management and procedures. Therefore, the District is not in violation of RCSA § 10-76d-19.

Corrective Action(s):

  • The District is required to provide training for all relevant members of the school-based team, to include administrators, special education staff and administrative assistants on the laws and regulations relating to parent rights to inspect and review any education records relating to their child which are collected, maintained or used by the board of education involving requests for access to educational records.