Complaint Summary

Date Findings Report Sent

October 20, 2026

Case Number

27-0118

School District

Suffield Public Schools

Person filing complaint

Attorney

Grade Level

High School

Allegation(s)

The Attorney alleges that the District failed to provide language/communication services as required in the Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the 2025-2026 school year. (34 CFR §§ 300.323(c)(2), 300.17, and RCSA § 10-76d-1(a)(1)).

The Attorney alleges that the District removed language/communication services from the Student’s IEP without a speech pathologist present, without using a variety of assessment tools and strategies, and without engaging in discussion during the PPT meeting on December 22, 2025. (34 CFR § 300.304(c)(4), § 300.304(c)(6), § 300.304(b)(1), § 300.324(a)(1), § 300.324(b)(1)(ii), § 300.501(b)(1), and RCSA §10-76d-9(a)).

The Attorney alleges that the District failed to provide a full copy of the Student’s IEP from the PPT meeting held on December 22, 2025, until March 19, 2026. (RCSA §10-76d-13(a)(6)).

The Attorney alleges that the District failed to provide Prior Written Notice (PWN) documenting the removal of language/communication services from the Student’s IEP following the PPT meeting on December 22, 2025. (34 CFR § 300.503(b)(7) and RCSA § 10-76d-8(a)).

The Attorney alleges that the District failed to provide progress reports as required by the Student’s IEP during the 2025-2026 school year. (34 CFR § 300.320(a)(3)(i)).

Conclusion(s)

The District stated that the Student’s language/communication services were addressed through an integrated instructional model rather than by an SLP, as required per the IEP. Furthermore, progress reporting on these goals lacked baseline information and evidence of reliable monitoring, present levels of performance went unchanged, and even the communication goal and objectives, developed on December 22, 2025, and written to be mastered by May 8, 2026, have been continued without revision. Therefore, the District is in violation of 34 CFR §§ 300.323(c)(2), and 300.17, and RCSA § 10-76d-1(a)(1). Corrective action will follow.

While the goal area of communication remained in the Student’s IEP following the PPT meeting on December 22, 2025, the District removed the language/communication service as well as the four pre-existing communication goals, in lieu of one replacement goal. This was done despite a lack of mastery on all objectives, the absence of an SLP to participate in the decision-making process, and the absence of a variety of assessment tools and strategies to inform the change in services. The record does not reflect substantive information regarding the functional needs of the Student or how parent input was considered. Therefore, the District is in violation of 34 CFR §§ 300.304(c), 300.304(b), 300.324(a), 300.324(b), 300.501(b)(1), and RCSA §10-76d-9(a). Corrective action will follow.

The District is required to provide a full copy of the IEP within five days after each PPT meeting, regardless of any extenuating circumstances. The District acknowledged that the IEP from the PPT meeting on December 22, 2025, was not provided until March 19, 2026. Therefore, the District is in violation of RCSA §10-76d-13(a)(6). Corrective action will follow.

The PWN issued following the PPT meeting on December 22, 2025, documented that the team reviewed and revised the Student’s IEP and identified program review data from FVTA as the basis for the proposed action. However, the PWN did not provide information regarding the specific nature of the changes made to the communication goals or the service delivery model, nor did it reflect the level of detail necessary to ensure a clear understanding of the actions taken and the rationale for them. Additionally, the PPT Recommendations listed on the IEP indicated that communication services would continue, creating a further lack of clarity regarding the nature of the changes. Therefore, the District is in violation of 34 CFR § 300.503(b) and RCSA § 10‑76d‑8(a). Corrective action will follow.

The District provided quarterly progress reports to the Parents during the 2025-2026 school year, consistent with the schedule of general education report cards as required by the Student’s IEP. However, the reports were not generated in CT-SEDS, did not include baseline data, and only reflected the number of trials or opportunities, limiting their utility in demonstrating measurable progress. Additionally, only the first two quarterly reports were uploaded into CT-SEDS. Therefore, while the District met the requirement to provide progress reports in compliance with 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(3)(i), the manner of documentation and data reporting did not fully align with expected practices or support comprehensive monitoring of the Student’s progress. No corrective action is ordered, but recommendations will follow.

Corrective Action(s)

• On or before January 15, 2027, the District will complete updated communication assessments for the Student.
• On or before February 1, 2027, the District will reconvene the PPT to review the data obtained from the communication assessments to update the Student’s present levels of performance, goals, and services to accurately reflect the Student’s current performance and needs.
• The District must provide the Student with 1,512 minutes of compensatory education to make up for the missed language/communication services. This provision aims to ensure that the Student receives the necessary support to address any gaps in his education and to facilitate his continued progress and development. If the District and the Parents encounter a disagreement about the scheduling of services, the District shall contact this office and the investigator will decide. The Parents are free to decline the offer of compensatory education in whole or in part. The District shall provide this office with monthly reports documenting the delivery of these services. The District shall deliver all the services on or before June 30, 2027.
• On or before January 15, 2027, the District is required to provide training for individuals involved in this case on the laws and regulations relating to the completion of Prior Written Notice, as required under 34 CFR § 300.503(b)(7) and RCSA § 10-76d-8(a). An agenda for the training, along with a list of attendees, must be submitted to this office.
• On or before December 1, 2026, the District is required to issue a directive to all individuals involved in this case outlining the legal timelines for the provision of documentation, as required under RCSA §10-76d-13(a)(6). A copy of this directive must be submitted to this office.