What Is a Due Process Hearing—and What Does It Mean for Parents and Advocates?

f you’ve ever said, “I’ll sue the school district,” you may be thinking about a due process hearing—but do you actually know what that means?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down the fourth and most formal dispute resolution option under IDEA: the Special Education Due Process Hearing.

Whether you’re a parent, advocate, or educator, you’ll walk away with a deep understanding of:

• What a due process hearing really is (and isn’t)
• What IDEA says about who can file and how to do it
• What must be included in a complaint to even be heard
• Timelines that could make or break your case
• Whether you need a lawyer—or if you can self-represent
• What happens after you file (hint: it’s not instant!)
• Karen’s personal insight from 11+ years of hearings

This isn’t about suing—it’s about knowing your rights, protecting your child, and walking into that room prepared.

Need help or want a free resource?
Just fill out the orange contact form on our site or email: [email protected]
We’ll send you a FREE copy of the Texas Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook.

Want your copy of the federal IDEA law book (IDEA 2004)? Get it HERE

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👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
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