Analysis of Special Education Due Process Hearings in Texas

In total, 139 Texas special education due process hearings that occurred between 2011 and 2015 were examined. Cases were coded with regard to the student’s special education disability category; the number of hearings in which a specific party prevailed; the primary, secondary, and/or tertiary issues of the case; the number of issues in these hearings held for the student/family, the district, and issues held in part for the student/family and in part for the district. Overall, the primary student eligibilities involved in these cases were autism, emotional disturbance, and other health impairment. In addition, the most common issues involved in the dispute included the Individualized Education Program (IEP), evaluation, and placement. Districts prevailed in approximately 72% of cases. Findings are compared with previous data, and implications are discussed.