Principal Response:

You receive a phone call from the special education supervisor to inform you a parent is challenging the district's recommendation for placement of a fourth grade student with Down Syndrome in a segregated special education classroom (a "resource room").

Although the family resides in the capture area of your school, the child would need to be transported to a neighboring school where a classroom is located. This will necessitate a long ride in a special education van to and from school each day for the 11-year-old child.

You are familiar with this child because the child has presented many challenges since their enrollment in kindergarten. The child requires a great deal of one-on-one assistance, including many accommodations in the classroom for math and reading, moving about the building for activities and special classes, toileting, and access to the school nurse for medical issues.

How will you and the special education supervisor proceed with this case/potential lawsuit? Ground your decision in IDEIA and case law that deals with inclusionary practices.