Opinion
CIVIL NO. 10-00641 LEK-RLP
04-30-2012
R.T.D., by and through his parents, R.D. and M.D., Plaintiffs, v. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, STATE OF HAWAII, Defendant.
ORDER AFFIRMING THE HEARINGS OFFICER'S
OCTOBER 26, 2010 ORDER GRANTING RESPONDENT'S MOTION
TO DISMISS OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Before the Court is an appeal by Plaintiff R.T.D., by and through his parents, R.D. and M.D. ("R.T.D."), of the Administrative Hearings Officer's ("Hearings Officer") Order Granting Respondent's Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative for Summary Judgment ("Decision"), filed on October 26, 2010. Plaintiff filed his Opening Brief on October 24, 2011. Defendant the Department of Education, State of Hawai`i ("Defendant" or "the DOE") filed its Answering Brief on November 14, 2011, and Plaintiff filed his Reply Brief on November 28, 2001. The Court heard oral argument in this matter on January 3, 2012. Appearing on behalf of Plaintiff was Jennifer Patricio, Esq., and appearing on behalf of Defendant was Kris Murakami, Esq. Pursuant to this Court's order, the parties submitted supplemental briefing after United States District Judge David Alan Ezra issued his decision in R.P.-K., et al. v. Department of Education, Civ. No. 10-00436 DAE-KSC ("the Class Action"). Plaintiff filed his supplemental brief on April 6, 2012, and Defendant filed its supplemental brief on April 13, 2012. After careful consideration of the parties' submissions, the arguments of counsel, and the relevant legal authority, the Decision is HEREBY AFFIRMED because this Court agrees with Judge Ezra's decision in the Class Action.
BACKGROUND
I. Factual and Administrative Background
On November 5, 2010, R.T.D. filed his Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief ("Complaint") appealing from the Hearing Officer's Decision. R.T.D. is a student eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 ("IDEA"), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., because he has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental Illness, Hearing Impairment, Vision Impairment, and Speech and Language Disorder. [Complaint at ¶¶ 1, 7.]
The Complaint alleges, in pertinent part:
10. R.T.D. has been a student at Kalaheo High School since 2005.[Complaint at pgs. 3-5.]
11. R.T.D. turned 20 years of age on
June 24, 2010.
12. On or about June 28, 2010 Defendant issued a Prior Written Notice advising that R.D. and M.D.'s request for continued special education and related services beyond the 2009-2010 school year was denied based on Act 163 of the 2010 Hawaii Session Laws [("Act 163")] which prohibits
any student aged 20 or over on the first instructional day of the school year from attending public school.
13. Plaintiffs filed a due process complaint on or about June 30, 2010 raising the following issues:
a. Whether Defendant's refusal to continue to provide R.T.D. with special education and related services until his 22nd birthday is a denial of a [free appropriate public education ("FAPE")] in violation of IDEA;14. Act 163 of the 2010 Session Laws of Hawaii was signed into law on June 3, 2010 and became effective July 1, 2010.
b. Whether Defendant's refusal to continue to provide R.T.D. with special education and related services until his 22nd birthday while allowing non-disabled students over 20 to pursue a CB or GED high school equivalency diploma is a denial of FAPE in violation of IDEA; and,
c. Whether Defendant should be estopped from claiming that it can refuse to provide R.T.D. special education and related services when in its application for IDEA funding it represented that it provided a FAPE to all students with disabilities until they become 22 years of age.
15. Defendant offers non-disabled students beyond the age of 20 an opportunity to continue their education by attending adult education classes in pursuit of CB (competency-based) or a GED (General Education Development) high school equivalency diplomas.
16. In its application for IDEA funding, Defendant represented that a free and appropriate public education is available to all children with disabilities residing in the State until age 22.
17. Defendant has acknowledged that R.T.D. continues to need special education and related services in order to receive a meaningful educational opportunity.
18. Defendant's administrative rules terminate eligibility for special education and related services when a student reaches 20 years of age before the first instructional day of the school year.
19. R.T.D. would benefit from further education with appropriate special education and related services. Defendant's denial of FAPE is based solely on the fact that he is 20 years of age.
The Complaint alleges the following claims: the Hearings Officer erred in determining that he lacked jurisdiction over the issues in the due process complaint; the Hearings Officer erred in applying the age-eligibility rule in Act 163 instead of the IDEA requirement that the provision of FAPE extends to age twenty-two; refusal to provide R.T.D. special education and related services until his twenty-second birthday while allowing non-disabled students to pursue CB or GED diplomas violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"); Defendant's actions violate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Rehab Act"); and Defendant should be estopped from terminating the offer of FAPE at age twenty because it represented to the federal government in its applications for IDEA funding that it provided FAPE to students ages three to twenty-one, inclusive.
II. Plaintiff's Opening Brief
In his Opening Brief, Plaintiff contends that the Hearings Officer's Decision is not entitled to deference because it was cursory and erroneous. In particular, the Hearings Officer: found that students with disabilities could enroll in the DOE's continuing education program, but he ignored the fact that students with disabilities would not be able to benefit from the program without the necessary services; and failed to consider whether offering high school equivalency courses to non-disabled students ages twenty and twenty-one is consistent with denying a FAPE to disabled students of the same age.
Plaintiff argues:
Defendant's eligibility for federal funds under IDEA is conditioned on its having policies and procedures in effect ensuring that a . . . [FAPE] is available to students "between the ages of 3 and 21, inclusive." 20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(1)(A). States are exempted from the obligation to make FAPE available to children 18 through 21, however, if:[Opening Brief at 12-13 (footnotes omitted).] Plaintiff therefore argues that providing services to students with disabilities would not be inconsistent with state law and would be consistent with the long standing State practice of providing the adult education programs to students over twenty. Plaintiff also argues that this district court's ruling in B.T. ex rel. Mary T. v. Department of Education, State of Hawaii, 637 F. Supp. 2d 856 (D. Hawai`i 2009), enjoining the State of Hawai`i from denying special education services based solely on a student's attaining the age of twenty, is evidence that the State's practices under Act 163 violate the IDEA and discriminate against disabled students. The State legislature enacted Act 163 in response to B.T., but Plaintiff argues that Act 163 itself violates the IDEA and discriminates against disabled students. Plaintiff argues that there is some uncertainty about B.T. because Defendant has interpreted the case as requiring students with disabilities over age twenty to prove that they would benefit from further education, but Plaintiff argues that this interpretation is not warranted. Plaintiff asks this Court to clarify the issue.
its application to those children would be inconsistent with state law or practice, or the order of any court, respecting the provision of public education to children in those age ranges.20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(1)(B). According to the legislative history, the exception from IDEA's age eligibility rule:
shall not apply . . . (1) where a State does in fact provide or assure the provision of free public education to non-handicapped children in these age groups.S. Rep. No. 94-168 at 19, reprinted at 2 U.S. Code, Cong., Adm. News (1975) at 1443 (italics in original).
Providing FAPE to disabled students in Hawai`i aged 18 to 22 is not inconsistent with Hawai`i law regarding the provision of public education generally. Students between 20 and 22 may enroll in one of two high school equivalency programs that Defendant offers without limitation. See Haw. Rev. Stat. § 302A-433(3) (2007). Those programs constitute "public education" as the term is used in 20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(1)(A). . . .
Finally, Plaintiff argues that he has proven his prima facie case under the ADA and the Rehab Act.
III. Defendant's Answering Brief
In its Answering Brief, Defendant emphasizes that not all of the issues which Plaintiff raises in the Opening Brief were raised in the administrative due process proceeding. Defendant contends that the only issues before this Court are: did the Hearings Officer err in ruling that he did not have jurisdiction over the case; does the IDEA require that Defendant provide Plaintiff with services through age twenty-two in spite of Act 163; and is the DOE estopped from claiming that the upper age limit to qualify for services under the IDEA is twenty?
Defendant contends that the Hearings Officer properly ruled that he did not have jurisdiction because the due process complaint did not meet the requirements of Haw. Admin. R. § 8-60-61(a)(1), which is consistent with 34 C.F.R. § 300.507. Even assuming, arguendo, that the Hearings Officer had jurisdiction over the due process complaint, Defendant contends that the Hearings Officer was still required to dismiss the due process complaint because 20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(1)(B) does not obligate the DOE to provide a FAPE to students between the ages of twenty to twenty-one inclusive, and Act 163 addressed the flaw identified in the B.T. decision.
Defendant also argues that the DOE allows all adults over the age of eighteen to participate in the CB program or the GED program. Defendant notes that the IDEA is not an anti-discrimination statute; it is an entitlement program with specific eligibility requirements, including age. In contrast, the Rehab Act is an anti-discrimination statute, but it does not require educational institutions to disregard students' disabilities, to modify their programs to allow disabled students to participate, or to lower or modify their standards to accommodate disabled students. Further, Defendant argues that R.T.D. has no standing to challenge the adult education programs because there is no evidence that he applied for and was denied admission or access to any adult education program because of his disability.
As to the judicial estoppel claim, Defendant contends that this argument is precluded under the summary judgment order in the Class Action. See R.P.-K. v. Dep't of Educ., Haw., 817 F. Supp. 2d 1182, 1199-201 (D. Hawai`i 2011).
As to Plaintiff's argument regarding the B.T. decision, Defendant emphasizes that Plaintiff did not raise this in the due process complaint. Further, the issues that were raised in B.T. are distinct from those in the instant case, and Plaintiff cannot overcome the fact that Plaintiff does not have standing because there is no actual case in controversy and no actual injury.
Finally, Defendant argues that Plaintiff has not established a prima facie case for his ADA claim or his Rehab Act claim for the reasons stated in the Class Action summary judgment order. See R.P.-K., 817 F. Supp. 2d at 1196-99.
IV. Plaintiff's Reply Brief
In his Reply Brief, Plaintiff largely reiterates the arguments that he raised in the Opening Brief. Plaintiff emphasizes that the adult education program, while theoretically open to everyone, would have little or no value to disabled students without the necessary services. Thus, the program is discriminatory.
STANDARDS
I. IDEA Overview
"The IDEA is a comprehensive educational scheme, conferring on disabled students a substantive right to public education." Hoeft v. Tucson Unified Sch. Dist., 967 F.2d 1298, 1300 (9th Cir. 1992) (citing Honig v. Doe, 484 U.S. 305, 310, 108 S. Ct. 592, 98 L. Ed. 2d 686 (1988)). The IDEA ensures that "all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living." 20 U.S.C. § 1400(d)(1)(A). According toJ.W. ex rel. J.E.W. v. Fresno Unified Sch. Dist., 626 F.3d 431, 432 (9th Cir. 2010).
the IDEA, a FAPE is
special education and services that—(A) have been provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge; (B) meet the school standards of the State educational agency; (C) include an appropriate preschool, elementary school or secondary school education in the State involved; and (D) are provided in conformity with the individualized education program required under section 1414(d) of this title.20 U.S.C. § 1401(9). To provide a FAPE in compliance with the IDEA, a state educational agency receiving federal funds must evaluate a student, determine whether that student is eligible for special education and services, conduct and implement an [individualized educational program ("IEP")], and determine an appropriate educational placement of the student. 20 U.S.C. § 1414.
Student's FAPE must be "tailored to the unique needs of the handicapped child by means of an 'individualized educational program' (IEP)." Hendrick Hudson Cent. Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ. v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176, 181, 102 S. Ct. 3034, 73 L. Ed. 2d 690 (1982) ("Rowley") (citing 20 U.S.C. § 1401(18)). The IEP, which is prepared at a meeting between a qualified representative of the local educational agency, the child's teacher, the child's parents or guardian, and, where appropriate, the child, consists of a written document containing
(A) a statement of the present levels of educational performance of such child, (B) a statement of annual goals, including short-term instructional objectives, (C) a statement of the specific educational services to be provided to such child, and the extent to which such child will be able to participate in regular educational programs, (D) the projected date for initiation and anticipated duration of such services, and (E) appropriated objective basis, whether instructional objectives are
being achieved.20 U.S.C. § 1401(19). Local or regional educational agencies must review, and where appropriate revise, each child's IEP at least annually. 20 U.S.C. §§ 1414(a)(5), 1413(a)(11). . . .
II. Standard of Review
The standard for district court review of an administrative decision under the IDEA is set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(2)(C), which provides:
In any action brought under this paragraph, the court -This standard requires that the district court give "'due weight'" to the administrative proceedings. L.M. v. Capistrano Unified Sch. Dist., 556 F.3d 900, 908 (9th Cir. 2009) (citations omitted). The district court, however, has the discretion to determine the amount of deference it will accord the administrative ruling. J.W., 626 F.3d at 438 (citing Gregory K. v. Longview Sch. Dist., 811 F.2d 1307, 1311 (9th Cir. 1987)). In reaching that determination, the court should consider the thoroughness of the hearings officer's findings, increasing the degree of deference where said findings are "'thorough and careful.'" L.M., 556 F.3d at 908 (quoting Capistrano Unified Sch. Dist. v. Wartenberg, 59 F.3d 884, 892 (9th Cir. 1995)). The district court should give "substantial weight" to the hearings officer's decision when the decision "evinces his careful, impartial consideration of all the evidence and demonstrates his sensitivity to the complexity of the issues presented." Cnty. of San Diego v. Cal. Special Educ. Hearing Office, 93 F.3d 1458, 1466-67 (9th Cir. 1996) (citation and quotation marks omitted)). Such deference is appropriate because "if the district court tried the case anew, the work of the hearing officer would not receive 'due weight,' and would be largely wasted." Wartenberg, 59 F.3d at 891. "[T]he ultimate determination of whether an IEP was appropriate," however, "is reviewed de novo." A.M. ex rel. Marshall v. Monrovia Unified Sch. Dist., 627 F.3d 773, 778 (9th Cir. 2010) (citing Wartenberg, 59 F.3d at 891).
(i) shall receive the records of the administrative proceedings;
(ii) shall hear additional evidence at the request of a party; and
(iii) basing its decision on the preponderance of the evidence, shall grant such relief as the court determines is appropriate.
A court's inquiry in reviewing IDEA administrative decisions is twofold:
"First, has the State complied with the procedures set forth in the Act? And second, is the individualized educational program developed through the Act's procedures reasonably calculated to enable the child to receive educational benefits?" [Rowley, 458 U.S. at 206-07] (footnotes omitted). "If these requirements are met, the State has complied with the obligationsJ.L. v. Mercer Island Sch. Dist., 592 F.3d 938, 947 (9th Cir. 2010) (some citations omitted).
imposed by Congress and the courts can require no more." Id. at 207.
The burden of proof in an IDEA appeal proceeding is on the party challenging the administrative ruling. Hood v. Encinitas Union Sch. Dist., 486 F.3d 1099, 1103 (9th Cir. 2007) (citations omitted). The challenging party must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the hearing decision should be reversed. J.W., 626 F.3d at 438 (citations omitted).
DISCUSSION
In the Class Action, Judge Ezra granted summary judgment in favor of the DOE on the plaintiffs' judicial estoppel claim, because the DOE "fully discloses that general eligibility criteria are contingent upon a student being between the ages of three and twenty. Without a misrepresentation on the form, and in light of this disclosure, the Court finds the doctrine of judicial estoppel does not require Defendant to provide Plaintiffs a FAPE beyond the age of twenty." R.P.-K., 817 F. Supp. 2d at 1201.
Judge Ezra presided over a bench trial in the Class Action. In his Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision ("Class Action Decision"), Judge Ezra ruled in favor of the DOE on the plaintiffs' IDEA claim. Judge Ezra found:
Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that the DOE hasR.P.-K. ex rel. C.K. v. Dep't of Educ., Haw., Civ. No. 10-00436 DAE-KSC, 2012 WL 1082250, at *8 (D. Hawai`i Mar. 30, 2012) (footnote omitted).
a state law or practice whereby non-disabled students between the ages of twenty and twenty-two are being provided the functional equivalent of a secondary school education. Therefore, lowering the age limit for FAPE eligibility to twenty pursuant to Act 163 is consistent with the State's law and practice respecting the provision of public education to general education students over the age of twenty. In short, Plaintiffs have not established a violation of the IDEA.
Judge Ezra also ruled in favor of the DOE on the plaintiffs' ADA and Rehab Act claims, finding that the plaintiffs did "not establish[] that the DOE failed to provide reasonable accommodations necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of a disability in violation of Title II of the ADA and § 504 of the Rehab Act." Id. at *9.
This Court directed R.T.D. and Defendant to file supplemental briefs addressing the relevance of the Class Action Decision to the instant case. [Dkt. no. 34.] Although stating his disagreement with the Class Action Decision, R.T.D. recognizes that, if this Court were to follow the Class Action Decision, "the DOE would likely prevail in this appeal because identical issues are raised in both cases." [Pltf.'s Suppl. Br. at 2.] Similarly, Defendant recognizes that the issues raised in the Class Action were identical to the issues raised in R.T.D.'s appeal. Defendant urges the Court to follow the Class Action Decision and affirm the Hearings Officer's Decision. [Defs.' Suppl. Br. at 2-3.]
This Court agrees with the parties that the issues raised in R.T.D.'s appeal are identical to the issues that Judge Ezra ruled upon in the Class Action. Further, this Court agrees with Judge Ezra's summary judgment order and the Class Action Decision. This Court therefore finds in favor of Defendant on all claims in R.T.D.'s Complaint.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of the foregoing, the Hearings Officer's October 26, 2010 Order Granting Respondent's Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative for Summary Judgment is HEREBY AFFIRMED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED AT HONOLULU, HAWAII, April 30, 2012.
_________________________
Leslie E. Kobayashi
United States District Judge
R.T.D., EX REL R.D. V. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; CIVIL NO. 10-00641 LEK-RLP; ORDER AFFIRMING THE HEARINGS OFFICER'S OCTOBER 26, 2010 ORDER GRANTING RESPONDENT'S MOTION TO DISMISS OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT