B.G. v. Bd. of Education of the City of Chicago

Dist. Ct. did not err in denying plaintiff-special education student’s request under IDEA to reverse hearing officer’s denial of his request for public funding for several Individual Education Evaluations (IEE) of plaintiff, where plaintiff claimed that defendant-school board’s assessment of plaintiff’s educational needs were inadequate. Plaintiff’s mother did not voice any objections to IEP team’s report of plaintiff educational needs at IEP meeting, but subsequently asserted that seven IEEs were needed in areas such as psychology, speech and language, and physical and occupational therapy. However, hearing officer could find as credible defendant’s professionals who had personally examined plaintiff over opinions of two experts provided by plaintiff who had never met plaintiff. Also, although plaintiff was critical of assessments made by defendant’s professionals, factual findings made by hearing officer and Dist. Ct. were entitled to significant deference.