View FileNovember 18, 2003 to Florida Department of Education Director of Special Education Shan Goff (MS Word)
Dated November 18, 2003Ms. Shan GoffChiefBureau of Instructional Support and Community ServicesFlorida Department of Education325 West Gaines Street, Suite 614Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400Dear Ms. Goff:The Office of Special Education Programs received the enclosed letter from X. X requests that we forward her letter to the Florida Department of Education as a complaint. Please resolve this complaint in accordance with the complaint requirements in the regulations applicable to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at 34 CFR 300.660-300.662. Consistent with these regulations, your agency, among other duties, must do the following within 60 calendar days of receiving this complaint:Conduct an independent on-site investigation if your agency determines such an investigation is necessary;Give the complainant the opportunity to submit additional information, either orally or in writing, about the allegations in the complaint;Review all relevant information and make an independent determination as to whether the public agency is violating a requirement of Part B; andIssue a written decision to the complainant that addresses each allegation in the complaint and contains findings of fact, conclusions, and the reasons for your agency's final decision.In your resolution of this complaint, it may be helpful to note that under Part B of the IDEA, 20 U.S.C. 1415(i)(3)(B)-(G) and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. 300.513, the court, in its discretion, may award reasonable attorneys' fees as part of the costs to the paPlease send a copy of your agency's final decision to X and to:Ms. Sheila FriedmanU.S. Department of EducationOffice of Special Education ProgramsRoom 3633, Switzer Building400 Independence AvenueWashington, D.C. 20202-2640Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact Dale King at 202-260-1156 or Sheila Friedman at 202-205-9055.Sincerely,/s/Stephanie Smith LeeDirectorOffice of Special Education Programscc: XEnclosuresPage PAGE 2 Ms. Shan Goff
