Equal Justice University 2024

Filing a due process complaint against a school system for violations of IDEIA can be an effective tool when neccessary in getting appropriate services for students with disabilities. However, attorneys and families of students with disabilities may want to consider other less time intensive and less costly strategies to resolve disputes. Complaints filed with the Office of Civil Rights, Administrative Complaints filed with the Tennessee Department of Education, or Requests for Mediation may provide quicker and sometimes more systemic relief. In this presentation, these strategies will be explored in detail in the light of students with mental health and behavioral challenges who may wind up in the school to prison pipeline if effective interventions are not implemented by the school system. Participants in this session will work collaboratively in small groups to develop strategies including basic planning for filing a complaint on such student needs as functional behavior assessments and plans, mental health supports, and innovative individualized instruction.