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  • Adequate education:

    a right to basic educational opportunities for all studentsregardless of disability.

  • Administrative Law Judge

    A neutral fact finder employed by the Office of Disability Adjudication & Review (ODAR) to determine if a claimant is entitled to benefits under the law. Most decisions are related to disability programs but ALJs decide other issues such as retirement, as well.

  • Administrative proceeding:

    a hearing conducted by a government agency, not in a court, that may result in one group being penalized.  

  • Administrative Review Officer:

    reviews parents’ appeal (rejection of the initial ruling) to the Hearing Officer in the due process hearing, typically reviewing requests placed within a specified period (typically 30 to 35 days) after the hearing; generally reaches a decision within 30 days of the appeal.

  • Alternative school:

    reassignment of the student to another facility; often offers inferior educational opportunities.