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ERIC Number: ED663299
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 116
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 9798384493167
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Examining Due Process Hearings: Descriptive Analysis of Trends and Rulings in Pre- and Post-Pandemic Eras
Brian Joel Cohen
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Delaware Valley University
This descriptive analysis examined special education due process filings and final decisions in Bucks County, Pennsylvania from the 2017-2018 school year through December 2023. Special attention was given to the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years due to the mandatory COVID-19 pandemic closures to examine if there were any changes in the number of filings and/or reasons for those filings. Kurt Lewin's change theory was used as the theoretical framework for this research. A descriptive content analysis design was utilized to review archival data obtained from the Office for Dispute Resolution. The frequency of due process hearings filed along with the reasons cited in the filings and the hearing outcomes based on the hearing officers' decisions were recorded and analyzed into Excel tables in order to create frequency tables and trend charts. The COVID-19 closures created a change moment for special education due process filings and outcomes. Increases in due process filings were occurring prior to March 2020, paused during the 2019-2020 school year, and then continued the increasing trend into the 2020-2021 school year and beyond. The reasons for the due process filings also experienced a change during and after the COVID-19 closures with increases in filings for compensatory education, placement, and issues with the IEP. Although some areas appear to be returning to pre-COVID-19 levels, it remains to be seen if that will continue as this researcher was able to review only due process hearing data to December 2023, and future years should be examined for trends. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A