Six D.C. public school hearing officers have filed a complaint alleging that they are being replaced because they rule against the schools too often.
The hearing officers, who are all contracted to hear cases brought under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, claim that public school officials have solicited replacement officers because the current hearing officers’ “decisions have dissatisfied [school] officials.”
The six have filed a protest with the D.C. Contract Appeals Board. The protest alleges that D.C. schools officials are looking for more pliant hearing officers. Under the Improvement Act, parents of special education students can file due process complaints if they think their children aren’t being given appropriate services. The hearing officers’ protest also claims that D.C. school officials have violated a consent decree by not requiring the new contractors to have a special education background.
School officials couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.
