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Article
Trends in special education case law: Frequency and outcomes of published court decisions 1998-2012
Journal of Special Education Leadership (2014)
  • Zorka Karanxha, University of South Florida
  • Perry A. Zirkel, Lehigh University
Abstract

Executive Overview • This article determines the frequency and outcomes of published court decisions under the IDEA for students from pre-K through grade 12, starting in January 1998 and ending in October 2012. • The frequency of these decisions trended upward during the 15-year period, particularly during the most recent five-year interval. • The conclusive outcomes favored districts on a 3:1 basis both overall and on relatively consistent longitudinal basis; however, the intermediate outcomes partially ameliorated this pronounced pro-district tendency. • The Second Circuit region (New York, Vermont, and Connecticut) had the highest volume of cases, and the Tenth Circuit (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming) had the lowest. • The Eighth Circuit (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas), was the leader in the pro-district outcomes, and the D.C. Circuit was the most district-favorable circuit court region.

Keywords
  • Due Process,
  • Special Education
Disciplines
Publication Date
Fall September 15, 2014
Citation Information
Zorka Karanxha and Perry A. Zirkel. "Trends in special education case law: Frequency and outcomes of published court decisions 1998-2012" Journal of Special Education Leadership Vol. 27 Iss. 2 (2014)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/zorka_karanxha/21/