Journal of Disability Policy Studies

obligates school districts to identify students with disabili-ties and provide them with a free and appropriate public education, or “FAPE, ” that includes special education ser-vices. At times, school districts and parents disagree about whether a child is eligible under the IDEA or whether the proposed services are appropriate. The primary mechanism for dispute resolution under the IDEA is a due process hear-ing. More specifically, the IDEA regulations [ § 300.507(a)] provide that “a parent or a public agency may file a due process complaint on... the identification, evaluation or educational placement of a child with a disability, or the provision of FAPE to the child.” Under the IDEA provision for due process hearings [ § 1415(g)], states have a choice of a one-tier system that is limited to the hearing officer level, or a two-tier system tha