Stamford 26-0199

Complaint Summary

Date Findings Report Sent:

November 24, 2025

Case Number:

26-0199

Grade Level:

Elementary

Person filing complaint:

Parent

School District:

Stamford Public Schools

Allegation(s):

  • 34 CFR § 300.321(a)(5) failure of the public agency to ensure that the PPT team for each child with a disability includes an individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results, who may be a member of the team described in paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(6) of this section.
  • 34 CFR § 300.501(a) failure to afford parents of a child with a disability, in accordance with the procedures of §§300.613 through 300.621, an opportunity to inspect and review all education records with respect to (1) the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of the child; and (2) the provision of FAPE to the child.
  • 34 CFR § 300.613(a) and RCSA §10-76d-18 failure to provide that parents shall have 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 afford parents of a child with a disability an opportunity to participate in meetings with respect to (i) the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of the child; and (ii) the provision of FAPE to the child.
  • 34 CFR § 300.324(a)(1) failure, in developing each child’s IEP, to consider the (ii) concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child.

Conclusion(s):

  • While an SLP attended the PPT meeting and had met with the SLP/District Audiologist who completed the evaluation prior, they were unable to comprehensively interpret the AP evaluation and address all of the Parent’s questions related to the evaluation. Therefore, the District is in violation of 34 CFR § 300.321(a)(5).
  • While the Parent did not submit a written request for a copy of the AP evaluation, the SLP/District Audiologist provided a copy to the Parent via email and uploaded a copy to CT-SEDS on that same date. Therefore, the District is not in violation of 34 CFR § 300.501(a), 34 CFR § 300.613(a) or RCSA §10-76d-18.
  • The District provided a copy of the AP evaluation 20 days prior to the PPT meeting. When the Parent did not attend that meeting, the District rescheduled the PPT meeting. However, there is no Record of Meeting or IEP developed, making it difficult to determine how the Parent’s concerns were addressed. Nonetheless, the decision to adjourn and then reconvene in order to respond to the Parent’s questions suggests that the team prioritized the Parent’s concerns. Therefore, the District is not in violation of 34 CFR § 300.501(b)(1) or 34 CFR § 300.324(a)(1).

Corrective Action(s):

  • The District is to provide training to all staff who participated in the Student’s PPT meetings on legal requirements of PPT membership. The training may take place during professional development for staff. The District is to convene a PPT meeting to ensure that all Parent questions related to the AP evaluations are addressed and that any necessary revisions are made to the Student’s IEP.