ÿWPC}$ rü[Z§¬¨ýE²@¯Y²%²ûóŠ“Ò iöh ¿â’ÄI|-•ѼF±„ô>ò|ÓÃ3<ºˆÎ{ÄÏä=Yª<Œšý‚ô¨>äò×»r™ ìL‘¸x3æíÓˆÒÛw^Í#ÑtÈâ=Ä€˜2ür4-O- Dét!wªLÈj‰œÈ8êNL¹Ù Û1±Ç2X£knò~—C„-&j·.D€}ì#¬ípªJeÖf³'–•sºeQßÊŒ@I4 6/Mu3P_õR!ó-«ŠÙàýZòI{halÎ@boRmkð˜<ªr’»Ë9¹ÿ¶7?ºªàÇMSˆoi`öÃ&mlÞ2T•±Ïdx»[æZÓUϤzk±¥’#ß³ÞßižÀ4ÜXì‰É»¢± ߟ¸[‰Š©PÊ eLJó¥f¥÷¬ÕزNÅæ±^rûu;_ú(çÕ/ÒŒ\¤Y+0´…GßNZáæ’ßË>i¦™ß}Þ“÷¸qç®K€cÌaIŸÍ”o½BID#Òg4’û7‹öž‰jؤlððÚv÷NÇë®J® /µ³uŸjÅ{iFðÃÇÇz¤Y k'mU²Ë?ç\5z¶äná³8ã3Â[ÒîùK53æÅa –2#Á¼ %} 0 Dƒ 0GÇU: 0 ¨HU8ðnT(N| UN~ UFÌ ^  w 4" 6 E EG fI aK m_ 1‡v UBý b? ? ? G G b€n‚Eð 1u5Žª 72888äjj BN‚kûíííííííí•è"˜HP LaserJet 5/5M - StandardÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0X(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó($¡¡Ô€Xœ·XXXÔ<þ6X9`("Courier NewTT(F:2¢þ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÔ€XSìXXXÔÝ  ÝÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó<4šÛ 9Z+‹ Courier New «<þ6X9`("Courier NewTTXXxþ6X@ÉDQX@<þ6X9`(CourierTTXXwþ6X@ÉüQX@(ÎáA Z‹6Times New Roman Regular´¾½Q 9Z+‹.Courier New RegularÍlW0s ´P/0?,}£backup3|xøÀTABLE AÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(5hCEKQW]cioAutoList1I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.<þ6X9`(*Courier 12pt10cpi- ù- Ý ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€full€text€of€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C)(ii)€is:€Ð ° ÐÌÒ4°ÒÒ4°ÒIf€the€parents€of€a€child€with€a€disability,€whoÐ \¬ Ðpreviously€received€special€education€and€relatedÐ 2‚ Ðservices€under€the€authority€of€a€public€agency,Ð X Ðenroll€the€child€in€a€private€elementary€orÐ Þ. Ðsecondary€school€without€the€consent€of€or€referralÐ ´  Ðby€the€public€agency,€a€court€or€a€hearing€officerÐ Š Ú Ðmay€require€the€agency€to€reimburse€the€parents€forÐ ` ° Ðthe€cost€of€that€enrollment€if€the€court€or€hearingÐ 6 †  Ðofficer€finds€that€the€agency€had€not€made€a€freeÐ  \  Ðappropriate€public€education€available€to€the€childÐ â 2  Ðin€a€timely€manner€prior€to€that€enrollment.Ð ¸  ÐÒ°4áÒÒ°4ÓÒ Ý ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔSecond€grade€students€at€Greenland€do€not€receive€a€letter€orÐ ° Ðnumber€grade,€but€instead€simply€"pass"€or€"fail." øÝ ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€captioned€plaintiffs€in€this€case,€Amy€N.€and€Robert€N.,Ð ° Ðare€Katie€C.'s€parents. dÝ ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔA€"disposition€of€referral€meeting"€is€a€procedure€used€byÐ ° ÐGreenland€following€a€request€to€determine€whether€a€particularÐ †Ö Ðchild€is€eligible€for€special€education€services. ;Ý ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThere€may€be€extreme€cases€where€it€is€obvious€to€a€schoolÐ ° Ðthat€a€child€is€a€special€needs€child€but€the€school€fails€toÐ †Ö Ðinform€parents,€who€are€ignorant€of€their€rights€under€IDEA.€Ð \¬ ÐWhether€this€situation€would€warrant€an€exception€to€the€generalÐ 2‚ Ðrule€as€an€exercise€of€equitable€jurisdiction€is€something€we€needÐ X Ðnot€address.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a) „Ý ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€issue€was€properly€before€the€hearing€officer€on€Katie'sÐ ° Ðparents'€due€process€request.€€òòSeeóó€34€Ô_ÔC.F.R.Ô_Ô€ðð€300.403(b)Ð †Ö Ð("Disagreements€between€a€parent€and€a€public€agency€regarding€theÐ \¬ Ðavailability€of€a€program€appropriate€for€the€child,€and€theÐ 2‚ Ðquestion€of€financial€responsibility,€are€subject€to€the€dueÐ X Ðprocess€procedures€of€ðððð€300.500-300.517."). i) ÚÝ ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔKatie's€parents€rely€on€òòJames€ex.€rel.€Jamesóó€v.€òòUpperÐ ° ÐArlington€City€School€Dist.óó,€228€F.3d€764€(6òòóóth€Cir.€2000),€for€theÐ †Ö Ðproposition€that€they€should€not€be€required€to€re„enroll€Katie€inÐ \¬ Ðthe€Greenland€schools€to€reestablish€her€legal€rights€to€anÐ 2‚ Ðappropriate€educational€program.€€However,€òòJamesóó€concerned€eventsÐ X Ðbefore€the€1997€Amendments€and€also€involved€the€refusal€by€theÐ Þ. Ðschool€system€to€do€an€Ô_ÔIEPÔ_Ô€evaluation€before€enrollment€of€theÐ ´  Ðchild€in€private€school.€€òòId.óó€at€768.€That€issue€is€not€involvedÐ Š Ú Ðhere.€€In€fact,€in€this€case€there€were€no€disagreements,€dueÐ ` ° Ðprocess€hearing€requests,€or€administrative€review€proceedingsÐ 6 †  Ðongoing€at€the€time€Katie€was€removed€from€the€public€schools,€soÐ  \  Ðthe€"stay€put"€provisions€of€IDEA,€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1415(j),€are€not€atÐ â 2  Ðissue,€unlike€in€òòJamesóó. d Ô ' Turner0Turner .    ñÝ ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDespite€the€language€of€the€statute,€some€legislative€historyÐ ° Ðsuggests€that€Congress€meant€to€include€children€who€had€requestedÐ †Ö Ðbut€not€yet€received€special€needs€services€during€their€period€inÐ \¬ Ðthe€public€schools.€€òòSeeóó€H.R.€Rep.€105„95,€at€91„93,€òòreprinted€inóóÐ 2‚ Ð1997€Ô_ÔU.S.C.C.A.N.Ô_Ô€78,€89„90.€€That€issue€does€not€need€to€beÐ X Ðresolved€in€this€case,€as€Katie's€parents€never€requested€specialÐ Þ. Ðeducation€services€for€Katie€while€she€was€at€Greenland. ‹Ý ƒ¢þ$ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÓ  Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔKatie's€parents€do€not€make€a€claim€for€compensatory€servicesÐ ° Ðfor€past€inadequacies.€€òòCf.óó€òòMaine€Sch.€Admin.€Dist.€No.€35óó€v.€òòMr.Ð †Ö ÐR.óó,€321€F.3d€9,€17„18€(1st€Cir.€2003)€(discussing€such€claims).€€Ý ƒ!ÝÔ€X[,XXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ=€[,ÐXdÐd=ÓÑTRY,3Ø'Xà3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÑ ? ÑÙ*ƒ !ÙÔ€ X¹"XXX[,ÔÔ€ °mö°X X¹"Ôò òÓ  ÓÓ  ÓUnited€States€Court€of€AppealsÔ€ „ßG„° °möÔÐ ° ÐFor€the€First€Circuitó óÔ€ „÷Ô„„ „ßGÔÔ€ X[,X„ „÷ÔÔÐ „Ô ÐÓSÓÌßA€') °°` dE<¹` AßÐ º  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àÌNos.€03„1668Ð u Å Ðà  à03„1697Ð K › ÐÌà@Ô Ô ìàGREENLAND€SCHOOL€DISTRICT,ˆÐ ÷ G  Ðà@Ô Ô ìàAppellee,€Cross„Appellant,ˆÐ Í   ÐÌà@tt)ìàv.ˆÐ yÉ  ÐÌà@dd ìàAMY€N.,€as€parent€and€next€friend€of€minor€daughter,€KATIE€C.;ˆÐ %u  ÐROBERT€N.,€as€parent€and€next€friend€of€minor€daughter,€KATIE€C.,Ð ûK  Ðà@\ \ ìàAppellants,€Cross„Appellees.ˆÐ Ñ! ÐÌßA€') °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í ÐÌÓ  Óà@@` ` ìàAPPEALS€FROM€THE€UNITED€STATES€DISTRICT€COURT€Ð b² ÐFOR€THE€DISTRICT€OF€NEW€HAMPSHIREÐ 8ˆ ÐÓÓà@¼¼ìà[Hon.€Joseph€A.€Ô_ÔDiClericoÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€òòU.S.€District€Judgeóó]ˆÐ ^ ÐÌßA€') °°` dE<¹` AßÐ º  ÐÌà@„„'ìàBeforeˆÐ Ÿï ÐÓ  Óà@@((ìà€Lynch,€òòCircuit€Judgeóó,Ð uÅ ÐCampbell,€òòSenior€Circuit€Judgeóó,€andÐ K› ÐLipez,€òòCircuit€Judgeóó.Ð !q ÐÌÌßA€') °°` dE<¢` AßÐ £ó  ÐÌÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àòòScott€F.€Johnsonóó,€with€whom€òòMichael€R.€Chamberlainóó€and€òòStein,Ð ˆØ" ÐÔ_ÔVolinskyÔ_Ô€&€Ô_ÔCallighanÔ_Ôóó€were€on€brief,€for€appellants.Ð ^ ®# Ðà  àòòJeanne€M.€Ô_ÔKincaidÔ_Ôóó,€with€whom€òòJennifer€D.€Sawyeróó€and€òòBernsteinÐ 4!„$ ÐÔ_ÔShurÔ_Ô,€Sawyer€&€Nelsonóó€were€on€brief,€for€appellees.Ð  "Z% Ðà  àòòRonald€K.€Ô_ÔLospennatoÔ_Ôóó,€with€whom€òòWendy€B.€Ô_ÔPagetÔ_Ôóó€was€on€brief,Ð à"0& Ðfor€amici€curiae€the€Disabilities€Rights€Center,€the€New€HampshireÐ ¶#' ÐPsychiatric€Association,€the€Ô_ÔAspergerÔ_Ô's€Association€of€New€England,Ð Œ$Ü( Ðand€the€National€Alliance€for€the€Mentally€Ill,€New€Hampshire.Ð b%² ) Ðà  àòòDiane€M.€Ô_ÔGorrowÔ_Ôóó,€with€whom€òòSteven€R.€Sacksóó€and€òòÔ_ÔSouleÔ_Ô,€Leslie,Ð 8&ˆ!* ÐKidder,€Ô_ÔSaywardÔ_Ô€&€Ô_ÔLoughmanÔ_Ôóó€were€on€brief,€for€amici€curiae€the€NewÐ '^"+ ÐHampshire€Association€of€Special€Education€Administrators,€NewÐ ä'4#, ÐHampshire€School€Boards€Association,€and€NEA„NH.Ð º( $- ÐÌÌÔ*‹ƒ'ddd Xdd Xdd X°(#°(#‹ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ <+Œ&0<+Œ& ‹‹ÐÓäÓÐ SI +ð&1 à’â@38039„„‰à’â@‰‹‹SÐÌFebruary€23,€2004Ð v,Æ'3 ÐÐ RHCL-œ(4" à’â@38039 à’â@ ‹‹RÐâ âÐ,"  +ð&5 ? ,ÐÔ_Ô‡â âÑ  ÑÓÓÑ8€[,XXdÖdÈ8ÑÑ€ÑÓ*°,X°` ¨ ƒX°œX*ÓÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ôà ` àò òòòóóLYNCH,€òòCircuit€Judgeó óóó.€In€1997€Congress€significantlyÐ ° Ðamended€the€Individuals€with€Disabilities€in€Education€Act€(IDEA),€Ð xÈ Ð20€U.S.C.€ðð€1400€òòet€seqóó.€€The€1997€Amendments,€Pub.€L.€No.€105„17,Ð $t Ð111€Stat.€37€(1997),Ô#† X[,XXX[,L#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô€reinforced€the€principle€that€children€shouldÐ Ð  Ðnot€be€removed€unnecessarily€from€regular€education€environments,Ð | Ì Ð20€U.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(5)(A),€in€part€by€eliminating€"inappropriateÐ ( x  Ðfinancial€incentives€for€referring€children€to€special€education."€Ð Ô$  ÐH.R.€Rep.€105„95,€at€90€(1997),€òòreprinted€inóó€1997€U.S.C.C.A.N.€78,Ð €Ð  Ð87.€€One€specific€purpose€of€the€amendments€was€to€controlÐ ,|  Ðgovernment€expenditures€for€students€voluntarily€placed€in€privateÐ Ø( Ðschools€by€their€parents.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€91„92.Ð „Ô Ðà ` àAt€issue€in€this€case€is€whether€the€parents€of€Katie€Ù*!ÙC.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð 0€ Ðare€entitled€to€reimbursement€from€the€Greenland,€New€HampshireÐ Ü, ÐSchool€District€for€Katie's€tuition€at€a€private€special„needsÐ ˆØ Ðschool,€the€Learning€Skills€Academy,€for€part€of€the€fifth€gradeÐ 4„ Ðand€all€of€the€sixth€grade.€€Katie's€parents€sought€tuitionÐ à0 Ðreimbursement€after€having€unilaterally€removed€Katie€fromÐ ŒÜ  ÐGreenland€Central€School€at€the€end€of€fourth€grade€and€placed€herÐ 8!ˆ" Ðin€private€school,€without€ever€before€raising€with€GreenlandÐ ä"4$ Ðschool€officials€the€issue€of€special€education€services€for€Katie.€Ð $à& Ðâ âThe€district€court,€reversing€the€due€process€hearing€officer,€heldÐ <&Œ!( Ðthat€Katie€and€her€parents€were€not€entitled€to€such€reimbursement.€Ð ° ÐWe€affirm.Ð \¬ Ðâ âà@tt)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ X Ðà ` àKatie,€born€in€March€1990,€started€first€grade€at€theÐ Ð  ÐGreenland€Central€School,€a€public€school,€in€1996.€ò òó ó€Although€KatieÐ | Ì Ðwas€a€good€student,€her€first€grade€teacher€noticed€that€she€hadÐ ( x  Ðdifficulty€focusing€on€classroom€activities€and€was€easilyÐ Ô$  Ðdistracted.ò òó ó€€During€the€summer€after€first€grade,€Katie's€parents,Ð €Ð  ÐMr.€and€Mrs.€N.,€took€Katie€to€a€private€psychologist€who€diagnosedÐ ,|  Ðher€with€Attention€Deficit€Hyperactivity€Disorder€(ADHD).€ò òó ó€TheÐ Ø( Ðpsychiatrist€suggested€several€practical€steps€that€Katie'sÐ „Ô Ðteachers€could€take€to€counteract€her€ADHD,€including€providing€herÐ 0€ Ðwith€a€checklist€of€tasks€to€complete€and€seating€her€in€the€frontÐ Ü, Ðof€the€classroom.€ò òó óÐ ˆØ Ðà ` àKatie's€second,€third,€and€fourth€grade€teachers€eachÐ 4„ Ðused€techniques€similar€to€those€recommended€by€Katie'sÐ à0 Ðpsychiatrist€to€help€Katie€stay€on€task.ò òó ó€€They€sat€Katie€in€theÐ ŒÜ  Ðfront€of€the€classroom,€provided€her€with€a€checklist€of€items€sheÐ 8!ˆ" Ðwas€to€complete,€and€maintained€frequent€contact€with€Mrs.€N.€aboutÐ ä"4$ ÐKatie's€performance.ò òó ó€€Some€of€her€teachers€also€employed€basicÐ $à& Ðbehavior€modification€techniques€to€help€improve€Katie'sÐ <&Œ!( Ðconcentration,€such€as€providing€incentives€for€Katie€withÐ è'8#* Ðstickers.ò òó ó€€Katie's€teachers€frequently€used€these€and€similarÐ ”)ä$, Ðmethods€to€help€other€students€focus€Ô_Ôtoo.Ð @+&. Ðà ` àMrs.€N.,€who€is€herself€a€special€education€teacher€at€aÐ ° Ðnearby€high€school,€also€spent€a€considerable€amount€of€timeÐ \¬ Ðhelping€her€daughter€with€her€schoolwork.ò òó ó€€She€spent€2„3€hours€aÐ X Ðnight€helping€Katie€with€her€homework€in€second€grade€and€providedÐ ´  Ð3„4€hours€of€assistance€each€night€in€the€third€grade.€ò òó ó€By€the€timeÐ ` ° ÐKatie€was€in€fourth€grade,€her€parents€had€hired€a€tutor€to€meetÐ  \  Ðwith€her€twice€a€week.€ò òó óÐ ¸  Ðà ` àKatie's€academic€performance€during€her€four€years€atÐ d´  ÐGreenland€ranged€from€average€to€above„average.€€In€second€grade,Ð `  ÐKatie€was€grouped€with€students€who€had€good€reading€skills,Ð ¼  Ðalthough€she€had€some€difficulties€with€math.ò ò€€ó óHer€second€gradeÐ h¸ Ðteacher€viewed€Katie€as€a€"competent€learner"€and€Katie€received€aÐ 0€ Ðpassing€grade€in€all€of€her€subjects.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€ò òó ó€Katie€continued€to€performÐ Ü, Ðreasonably€well€in€third€and€fourth€grades,€earning€mostly€A's€andÐ ˆØ ÐB's€on€her€report€card.€ò òó ó€Katie's€third€grade€teacher€viewed€her€asÐ 4„ Ð"very€bright"€and€a€"good€learner"€and€her€fourth€Ô_ÔgradeÔ_Ô€teacherÐ à0 Ðsaid€her€academic€performance€was€"between€an€eight€and€a€nine"€onÐ ŒÜ  Ða€ten„point€scale.ò òó ó€Ð 8!ˆ" Ðà ` àKatie's€academic€marks€were€consistent€with€her€scores€onÐ ä"4$ Ðthe€California€Achievement€Test,€a€national€standardized€test€thatÐ $à& ÐKatie€took€in€the€second€and€fourth€grades.€€On€bothÐ <&Œ!( Ðadministrations€of€the€test,€Katie€scored€in€the€average€to€above„Ð è'8#* ÐÔ_Ôaverage€range€on€all€of€the€tested€subjects.ò òó ó€€She€also€received€anÐ ° Ðaverage€score€on€all€subparts€of€the€New€Hampshire€End€of€Grade€3Ð \¬ ÐAssessment,€another€standardized€test.€ò òó óÐ X Ðà ` àThroughout€her€time€at€Greenland,€though,€Katie€stillÐ ´  Ðoccasionally€had€difficulty€maintaining€her€concentration€onÐ ` ° Ðdiscrete€tasks.€ò òó ó€She€also€had€problems€making€friends€and€wasÐ  \  Ðsometimes€teased€by€her€classmates.€ò òó ó€In€Katie's€fourth€grade€year,Ð ¸  ÐMrs.€N.€became€sufficiently€concerned€about€peer€harassment€thatÐ d´  Ðshe€contacted€Katie's€teacher.ò òó óÐ `  Ðà ` àAt€no€point€during€Katie's€time€at€Greenland€did€herÐ ¼  Ðparents€or€any€of€her€teachers€request€that€she€be€evaluated€forÐ h¸ Ðspecial€education€services.ò òó ó€€Katie's€second€grade€teacher€notedÐ d Ðthat€Katie€did€not€meet€the€general€profile€of€a€special€educationÐ À Ðstudent€because€there€was€not€a€gap€between€her€apparent€learningÐ l¼ Ðability€and€her€academic€performance.€ò òó ó€Similarly,€her€third€gradeÐ h Ðteacher€said€that€Katie's€difficulties€with€paying€attention€wereÐ Ä Ðconcerns€for€her€physician€and€that€she€did€not€believe€that€KatieÐ pÀ  Ðrequired€special€education€services.ò òó ó€ò òó óÐ !l" Ðà ` àIn€August€of€2000,€the€summer€that€Katie€completed€fourthÐ È"$ Ðgrade,€Katie's€parents€unilaterally€removed€her€from€the€GreenlandÐ t$Ä& ÐCentral€School€and€enrolled€her€in€Mont€Blanc€Academy.€€Mont€BlancÐ  &p!( ÐAcademy€is€a€private€school€that€does€not€focus€on€specialÐ Ì'#* Ðeducation€students€and,€when€Katie's€parents€enrolled€her€there,Ð x)È$, Ðthey€"weren't€looking€for€special€education."€€When€Katie€startedÐ $+t&. Ðfifth€grade€at€Mont€Blanc,€the€school€instructed€Mrs.€N.€not€toÐ ° Ðhelp€Katie€with€her€homework.€€As€a€result,€Katie€struggled€withÐ \¬ Ðsome€of€her€classes€and€failed€her€first€quarter€math€class,Ð X Ðalthough€she€passed€her€other€classes.ò òó ó€€In€November,€after€Mrs.€N.Ð ´  Ðlearned€of€Katie's€failing€math€grade,€she€resumed€helping€KatieÐ ` ° Ðwith€her€homework€and€Katie's€math€grade€rose€to€a€B.€ò òó ó€Ð  \  Ðà ` àFor€reasons€unspecified€in€the€record,€Mont€Blanc€AcademyÐ ¸  Ðrequested€in€February€of€2001€that€Katie's€parents€withdraw€herÐ d´  Ðfrom€the€school.€ò òó ó€One€month€later,€in€March€of€2001,€Katie'sÐ `  Ðparents€enrolled€her€at€the€Learning€Skills€Academy€(LSA)€for€theÐ ¼  Ðremainder€of€her€fifth€grade€year.€ò òó ó€LSA€is€a€private€school€thatÐ h¸ Ðhas€only€about€thirty€enrolled€students,€most€of€whom€either€sufferÐ d Ðfrom€a€learning€disability€or€ADHD.ò òó ó€€Tuition€for€Katie's€springÐ À Ðterm€at€LSA€was€$16,000.€ò òó óÐ l¼ Ðà ` àAt€approximately€the€same€time€that€Katie€started€at€LSA,Ð h ÐMrs.€N.€contacted€Melanie€Lovering,€the€special€educationÐ Ä Ðcoordinator€for€Greenland€Central€School,€and€requested€that€KatieÐ pÀ  Ðbe€evaluated€by€the€psychologist€on€call€with€the€school,€Dr.Ð !l" ÐSecor.ò ò€ó ó€This€was€the€first€time€that€Katie's€parents€had€notifiedÐ È"$ ÐGreenland€that€Katie€might€need€special€education€services.€€ò òó óMrs.Ð $à& ÐN.,€being€a€special€education€teacher€and€administrator€herself,Ð <&Œ!( Ðwas€familiar€with€the€processes€associated€with€identifyingÐ è'8#* Ðchildren€who€require€special€education.€€ò òó óKatie's€parents€toldÐ ”)ä$, ÐGreenland€that€their€major€concerns€with€Katie's€development€wereÐ @+&. Ðfocused€on€"written€language,€organization€and€hyperactivity."€€ò òó óTheÐ ° Ðschool€responded€by€scheduling€a€"disposition€of€referral€meeting"׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð \¬ Ðto€take€place€about€two€weeks€later,€on€April€6,€2001.Ð X Ðà ` àAt€the€April€6€meeting,€three€Greenland€special€educationÐ ´  Ðteachers,€two€representatives€from€LSA,€an€occupational€therapist,Ð ` ° ÐDr.€Secor,€Ms.€Lovering,€and€Mrs.€N.€all€met€to€discuss€Katie'sÐ  \  Ðeligibility€for€special€education€services€at€Greenland.€ò òó ó€The€groupÐ ¸  Ðagreed€that€they€did€not€at€that€point€have€sufficient€informationÐ d´  Ðto€determine€whether€Katie€should€be€coded€as€learning€disabled.€ò òó óÐ `  ÐAccordingly,€they€planned€a€battery€of€tests€and€evaluations€thatÐ ¼  ÐGreenland€school€officials€would€conduct€over€the€next€severalÐ h¸ Ðweeks€to€gather€more€information€on€Katie's€strengths€andÐ d Ðweaknesses.€ò òó ó€These€included€multiple€standardized€tests€in€math€andÐ À Ðwritten€expression€and,€at€Mrs.€N.'s€request,Ô#† X[,XXX[,Á#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô€various€psychologicalÐ l¼ Ðassessments€by€Dr.€Secor.ò òó óÐ h Ðà ` àOn€May€23,€2001,€the€school€district€held€a€meeting€withÐ Ä ÐMrs.€N.€to€assess€the€results€of€Katie's€tests€and€evaluations€andÐ pÀ  Ðdetermine€whether€Katie€was€eligible€for€special€education€servicesÐ !l" Ðat€Greenland.€€The€school€officials€in€attendance,€including€Dr.Ð È"$ ÐSecor,€Ms.€Lovering,€and€four€others,€unanimously€determined€thatÐ t$Ä& Ðeven€though€Katie€had€ADHD€and€an€anxiety€disorder,€thoseÐ  &p!( Ðconditions€did€not€adversely€affect€her€educational€performance.€ò òó óÐ Ì'#* ÐThey€also€unanimously€concluded€that€Katie€did€not€have€a€learningÐ ° Ðdisability€because€there€was€no€evidence€of€a€discrepancy€betweenÐ \¬ ÐKatie's€ability€and€her€achievement.€ò òó ó€The€officials€nonethelessÐ X Ðagreed€to€offer€Katie€a€plan€to€address€some€of€her€organizationalÐ ´  Ðweaknesses.€ò òó óÐ ` ° Ðà ` àIn€a€letter€dated€May€29,€2001,€Katie's€parents€informedÐ  \  ÐMichelle€Langa,€the€assistant€superintendent€of€the€GreenlandÐ ¸  ÐSchool€District,€that€they€disagreed€with€the€district's€decisionÐ d´  Ðfinding€Katie€ineligible€for€special€education€services.€ò ò€ó óTheÐ `  Ðletter€informed€the€district€that€Mr.€and€Mrs.€N.€had€scheduled€anÐ Ø( Ðappointment€with€an€independent€psychiatrist€named€Dr.€Spitzer,€butÐ „Ô Ðit€did€not€request€any€specific€further€action€on€the€part€ofÐ 0€ ÐGreenland.ò òó ó€€Again,€at€the€time€Katie's€parents€sent€this€letter€inÐ Ü, ÐMay€2001,€Katie€was€already€in€private€school,€having€beenÐ ˆØ Ðwithdrawn€from€public€school€in€August€2000.Ð 4„ Ðà ` àDr.€Spitzer€evaluated€Katie€in€May€and€sent€a€letter€toÐ à0 ÐMichelle€Langa€on€August€15,€2001€detailing€her€conclusions.€ò òó ó€Dr.Ð ŒÜ  ÐSpitzer€confirmed€Katie's€diagnosis€of€ADHD,€but€she€also€concludedÐ 8!ˆ" Ðthat€Katie€suffers€from€Asperger's€disorder.€ò òó ó€Asperger's€disorderÐ ä"4$ Ðis€a€developmental€disability€on€the€autism€spectrum€that€isÐ $à& Ðassociated€with€significant€misperceptions€of€otherwise€routineÐ <&Œ!( Ðelements€of€daily€life.€€It€is€a€permanent€condition€that€is€notÐ è'8#* Ðâ âtreatable€with€medication.€Ð ”)ä$, Ðà ` àMeanwhile,€Katie's€parents€decided€to€re„enroll€Katie€inÐ ° Ðâ âLSA€for€sixth€grade,€the€2001„2002€school€year.€€Katie€had€doneÐ \¬ Ðwell€at€LSA€during€the€spring€semester€of€her€fifth€grade€year,Ð X Ðmaking€significant€strides€in€her€academic€and€emotionalÐ ´  Ðdevelopment.€€She€no€longer€relied€on€her€mother€to€assist€her€withÐ ` ° Ðher€homework,€developed€positive€peer€relationships,€and€was€aÐ  \  Ð"much€more€confident,€happier€child."€ò òó óÐ ¸  Ðà ` àOn€September€12,€2001,€as€Katie€was€starting€sixth€gradeÐ d´  Ðat€LSA,€Greenland€school€officials€met€with€Dr.€Spitzer€to€reviewÐ `  Ðher€conclusion€that€Katie€suffered€from€Asperger's€disorder.€ò òó óÐ ¼  ÐAlthough€Dr.€Secor,€who€also€attended€the€meeting,€disputed€thisÐ h¸ Ðdiagnosis,€the€team€decided€to€reverse€its€earlier€determinationÐ d Ðthat€Katie€did€not€qualify€for€special€education€services.€ò òó ó€RatherÐ À Ðthan€code€Katie€as€"autistic,"€consistent€with€the€diagnosis€ofÐ l¼ ÐAsperger's€disorder,€the€team€agreed€to€code€her€as€"other€healthÐ h Ðimpaired."€€Ð Ä Ðà ` àOver€the€next€several€months,€school€officials€metÐ pÀ  Ðseveral€times€with€Mrs.€N.€and€her€advocate€to€develop€anÐ !l" ÐIndividual€Education€Plan€(IEP)€that€would€provide€Katie€withÐ È"$ Ðappropriate€special€educational€services€at€Greenland.€€ThroughoutÐ t$Ä& Ðthis€process,€Katie€remained€a€student€at€LSA.€€By€mid„November,Ð  &p!( Ðthe€team€of€school€officials,€in€conjunction€with€Mrs.€N.€and€herÐ Ì'#* Ðadvocate,€had€developed€a€working€draft€of€Katie's€initial€IEP.€Ð x)È$, ÐThe€draft€provided€for€Katie€to€re„enroll€in€Greenland€publicÐ $+t&. Ðschool€and€have€a€personal€aide€who€would€assist€her€with€"socialÐ ° Ðpragmatic€skills€across€a€variety€of€settings€and€partners"€andÐ \¬ Ðhelp€develop€her€"graphing€and€discourse€skills."€ò ò€ó óÐ X Ðà ` àOn€November€15,€2001,€as€the€final€details€of€Katie's€IEPÐ Ð  Ðwere€being€worked€out,€Katie's€parents€filed€a€due€process€hearingÐ | Ì Ðrequest.€ò òó ó€The€letter€requesting€the€hearing€indicated€that€Katie'sÐ ( x  Ðparents€appreciated€the€school's€efforts€in€drafting€an€IEP€forÐ Ô$  ÐKatie,€and€explained€that€they€were€seeking€reimbursement€forÐ €Ð  ÐKatie's€tuition€at€LSA€and€were€concerned€that€the€time€for€filingÐ ,|  Ða€hearing€request€would€soon€expire.€ò òó ó€Although€surprised€andÐ Ø( Ðconfused€by€the€due€process€hearing€request,€school€officialsÐ „Ô Ðcompleted€the€final€version€of€Katie's€IEP€several€weeks€later.ò ò€ó ó€InÐ 0€ Ðaddition€to€providing€Katie€with€services€at€Greenland,€includingÐ øH Ðher€own€aide,€the€plan€set€forth€a€curriculum€to€help€Katie€learnÐ ¤ô Ðthe€difference€between€friendly€joking€and€hurtful€teasing,€aÐ P  Ðproblem€with€which€children€suffering€from€Asperger's€disorder€haveÐ üL Ðparticular€difficulty.€ò ò€ó óIt€also€included€counseling€services€forÐ ¨ø  ÐKatie€and€speech/language€services€that€Dr.€Spitzer€hadÐ p!À" Ðrecommended.€ò òó óÔ#† X[,XXX[,Y=#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô€ò òó óEven€after€Greenland€completed€the€IEP,€KatieÐ #l$ Ðremained€enrolled€at€LSA€instead€of€returning€to€Greenland€andÐ È$ & Ðreceiving€the€services€outlined€in€the€IEP.Ð t&Ä!( ÐÓ€ (5h83 ÓØ! !Øà@ìì*ìàˆÐ   (p#* Ðò òÓ  ÓII.ó óÐ ° ÐÓZWÓA.€€òòAdministrative€ProceedingsóóÐ xÈ Ðà ` àIn€response€to€Mr.€and€Mrs.€N.'s€due€process€hearingÐ $t Ðrequest,€the€hearing€officer€held€a€prehearing€conference€onÐ Ð  ÐJanuary€15,€2002.€€At€that€conference,€the€parents€said€that,€inÐ | Ì Ðaddition€to€seeking€reimbursement,€they€were€challenging€the€schoolÐ ( x  Ðdistrict's€failure€to€identify€Katie€as€eligible€for€specialÐ Ô$  Ðeducation€services€in€May€of€2001€(when€she€was€a€student€at€LSA).€ò òó óÐ €Ð  ÐThe€parents€also€indicated€that€they€were€dissatisfied€with€theÐ ,|  Ðplan€that€Greenland€had€developed€in€the€Fall€of€2001€to€educateÐ Ø( ÐKatie€at€Greenland€because,€despite€its€reliance€on€an€aide€toÐ „Ô Ðassist€Katie,€no€such€aide€had€been€hired.€ò òó óÐ 0€ Ðà ` àò òó óThe€hearing€officer€heard€testimony€from€sixteenÐ Ü, Ðwitnesses€over€three€days€and€issued€a€decision€on€February€20,Ð ˆØ Ð2002.€ò òó ó€The€decision€rejected€Greenland's€argument€that€it€was€notÐ 4„ Ðobliged€to€develop€an€IEP€for€Katie€because€she€was€unilaterallyÐ à0 Ðplaced€in€a€private€school€by€her€parents;€it€concludedò òó ó€thatÐ ŒÜ  ÐGreenland€had€to€offer€Katie€an€IEP€pursuant€to€its€"child€find"Ð 8!ˆ" Ðobligations.€ò òó ó€The€decision€also€found€that€Greenland€had€erred€whenÐ ä"4$ Ðin€May€2001€it€failed€to€find€Katie€eligible€for€special€educationÐ $à& Ðservices.€ò òó ó€Reasoning€that€Katie€was€in€effect€receiving€specializedÐ <&Œ!( Ðeducation€throughout€her€time€at€Greenland,€the€hearing€officerÐ è'8#* Ðconcluded€that€the€team's€reliance€on€the€lack€of€an€apparent€gapÐ ”)ä$, Ðbetween€Katie's€ability€and€her€performance€was€legally€deficient.€ò òó óÐ @+&. Ðà ` àThe€hearing€officer€also€concluded€that€Katie€would€beÐ ° Ðill„served€by€returning€to€Greenland.€€He€found€that€Greenland€didÐ \¬ Ðnot€have€any€aide€or€staff€with€whom€it€could€place€Katie€if€sheÐ X Ðwere€to€return€to€the€school€and€that,€even€if€an€aide€existed,Ð ´  ÐGreenland's€proposed€IEP€would€not€provide€Katie€with€a€FreeÐ ` ° ÐAppropriate€Public€Education€(FAPE).€€Based€on€these€conclusions,Ð  \  Ðthe€hearing€officer€ordered€Greenland€to€reimburse€Mr.€and€Mrs.€N.Ð ¸  Ðfor€Katie's€tuition€at€LSA€for€both€the€second€semester€of€herÐ d´  Ðfifth€grade€year€and€the€entirety€of€her€sixth€grade€year.€ò òó ó€ThisÐ `  Ðamounted€to€$48,000.€ò òó óÐ ¼  ÐB.€€òòDistrict€Court€DecisionóóÐ h¸ Ðà ` àPursuant€to€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1415(i)(2),€the€school€districtÐ d Ðchallenged€in€district€court€the€hearing€officer's€decision.€€ò òó óTheÐ À Ðdistrict€court€reversed€the€bulk€of€the€hearing€officer's€holdings,Ð l¼ Ðconcluding€that€the€hearing€officer€had€incorrectly€considered€theÐ h Ðadequacy€of€the€IEP€offered€by€Greenland€and€the€availability€ofÐ Ä Ðtuition€reimbursement.€€The€district€court€found€that€Katie€wasÐ pÀ  Ðenrolled€in€private€school€(Mont€Blanc€Academy)€before€her€parentsÐ !l" Ðever€raised€the€question€of€special€education€and€that€FAPE€was€notÐ È"$ Ð"at€issue"€when€Katie€was€removed€from€Greenland.€€On€this€basis,Ð t$Ä& Ðthe€district€court€concluded€that€the€hearing€officer€had€only€theÐ  &p!( Ðstatutory€authority€to€consider€whether€Greenland€had€violated€itsÐ Ì'#* Ðâ â"child€find"€obligation.€€34€C.F.R.€ðð€300.451.€Ð x)È$, Ðà ` àThe€court€affirmed€the€portion€of€the€hearing€officer'sÐ ° Ðâ âopinion€that€concluded€the€school€district€erred€in€failing€to€codeÐ \¬ ÐKatie€as€a€child€with€a€disability€in€May€2001.€€Construing€thatÐ X Ðportion€of€the€opinion€as€stemming€from€the€school€district'sÐ ´  Ð"child€find"€obligation,€the€court€determined€that€the€hearingÐ ` ° Ðofficer€had€the€authority€to€consider€the€issue.ò òó ó€€After€reviewingÐ  \  Ðthe€hearing€officer's€decision€on€the€merits,€the€court€affirmed.€Ð ¸  ÐBecause€the€district€court€denied€reimbursement€on€other€grounds,Ð d´  Ðthis€ruling€did€not€affect€the€plaintiffs'€claim€for€relief.ò òÐ `  Ðà ` àó óKatie's€parents€appeal€the€portion€of€the€districtÐ ¼  Ðcourt's€opinion€reversing€the€hearing€officer's€determinations.€Ð h¸ ÐGreenland€School€District€cross„appeals,€arguing€that€the€districtÐ d Ðcourt€incorrectly€affirmed€the€hearing€officer's€determination€thatÐ À ÐKatie€should€have€been€coded€as€a€child€with€a€disability€in€MayÐ l¼ Ð2001.€Ð h Ðà@„„'ìàò òIII.€€ó óˆÐ Ä Ðà ` àOur€review€is€de€novo,€as€this€case€only€presentsÐ ŒÜ  Ðquestions€of€law.€€òòManchester€Sch.€Dist.óó€v.€òòCrismanóó,€306€F.3d€1,€9Ð 8!ˆ" Ð(1st€Cir.€2002).€€Ð ä"4$ Ðà ` àNew€Hampshire€implements€IDEA€through€its€specialÐ $à& Ðeducation€law.€€N.H.€Rev.€Stat.€Ann€ðð€186„C.€€The€state€has€adoptedÐ <&Œ!( Ðby€reference€the€federal€regulations€as€to€special€education€forÐ è'8#* Ðdisabled€students€in€private€schools.€€N.H.€Code€Admin.€Rules,€Ed.Ð ”)ä$, Ð1117.03€(2003).€€Thus,€Katie's€rights€under€New€Hampshire€law€areÐ @+&. Ðthe€same€as€her€rights€under€federal€law€and€no€greater.€€òòSeeóó€òòGaryÐ ° ÐS.óó€v.€òòManchester€Sch.€Dist.óó,€241€F.€Supp.€2d€111,€122„23€(D.N.H.Ð \¬ Ð2003).Ð X Ðà ` àThis€case€turns€on€the€1997€IDEA€Amendments.€€ThoseÐ ´  Ðamendments€affect€this€case€in€three€ways.€€First,€the€amendmentsÐ ` ° Ðmake€clear€that€while€local€school€systems€have€"child€find"Ð  \  Ðobligations€as€to€students€with€disabilities€in€private€schools,Ð ¸  Ðthey€do€not€have€to€provide€such€students€with€the€full€complementÐ d´  Ðof€services€that€a€student€in€public€school€with€special€needsÐ `  Ðwould€receive.€€òòSeeóó€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(10)(A);€€34€C.F.R.€ððÐ ¼  Ð300.454(a)(1)€("No€private€school€child€with€a€disability€has€anÐ h¸ Ðindividual€right€to€receive€some€or€all€of€the€special€educationÐ d Ðand€related€services€that€the€child€would€receive€if€enrolled€in€aÐ À Ðpublic€school.").€€Second,€they€establish€that€complaints€about€theÐ l¼ Ðservices€a€disabled€student€in€private€school€is€receiving€after€heÐ h Ðor€she€has€been€identified€must€be€brought€through€the€stateÐ Ä Ðadministrative€complaint€system€rather€than€a€due€process€hearing.€Ð pÀ  Ð34€C.F.R.€ðð€300.457€(a),€(c).€€Finally€and€most€importantly,€theÐ !l" Ðamendments€limit€the€circumstances€in€which€parents€who€haveÐ È"$ Ðunilaterally€placed€their€child€in€a€private€school€are€entitled€toÐ t$Ä& Ðreimbursement€for€that€placement.€€òòSeeóó€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C).òòÐ  &p!( ÐÓÓóóA.€€òòObligation€to€Provide€Services€to€Disabled€Private€Schoolóó€€òòÐ Ì'#* Ðóó€€€€òòChildren€and€the€Proper€Forum€for€Such€Claims.Ð ¢(ò#+ ÐóóÌÓ5uÓà ` àThe€district€court€vacated€the€hearing€officer'sÐ N*ž%- Ðevaluation€of€the€IEP€that€Greenland€offered€to€Katie€because€itÐ ú+J'/ Ðconcluded€that€this€issue€was€not€properly€before€the€hearingÐ ° Ðofficer.€€That€ruling€was€correct.Ð \¬ Ðà ` àBecause€Katie€was€enrolled€at€LSA,€a€private€school,€whenÐ X Ðshe€filed€her€due€process€hearing€request,€her€rights€under€IDEAÐ ´  Ðare€governed€by€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(10).€€That€subsection€dividesÐ ` ° Ðchildren€in€private€school€into€two€categories:€(1)€childrenÐ  \  Ðenrolled€in€private€schools€by€their€parents,€and€(2)€childrenÐ ¸  Ðplaced€in€or€referred€to€private€schools€by€public€agencies.€€òòSeeóóÐ d´  Ðòòid.óó€ðð€1412(a)(10)€(A),€(B).€€It€is€undisputed€that€Katie€falls€inÐ `  Ðthe€former€category,€as€she€was€not€placed€in€or€referred€to€MontÐ ¼  ÐBlanc€or€LSA€by€a€public€agency.€Ð h¸ Ðà ` àParticipating€school€districts€such€as€Greenland€oweÐ d Ðchildren€who€fall€within€subsection€(A)€of€ðð€1412(a)(10)€a€"childÐ À Ðfind"€obligation.€€òòSeeóó€ðð€1412(a)(10)(A)(ii).€€This€obligationÐ l¼ Ðrequires€those€districts€to€"locate,€identify€and€evaluate€allÐ h Ðprivate€school€children€with€disabilities"€using€methods€that€areÐ Ä Ð"comparable€to€activities€undertaken€for€children€with€disabilitiesÐ pÀ  Ðin€public€school."€€34€C.F.R.€ðð€300.451(b).€€In€the€event€that€aÐ !l" Ðdistrict€fails€to€meet€its€"child€find"€obligations,€a€child'sÐ È"$ Ðparents€can€initiate€a€due€process€hearing€under€the€proceduresÐ t$Ä& Ðoutlined€in€ðððð€300.504„300.515.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€ðð€300.457.€Ð  &p!( Ðà ` àImportantly,€IDEA€also€provides€that€participatingÐ Ì'#* Ðdistricts€must€provide€certain€services€to€disabled€children€inÐ x)È$, Ðprivate€school€once€those€children€have€been€identified€through€theÐ $+t&. Ðchild€find€process.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€ðððð€300.452€„€300.462.€€These€servicesÐ ° Ðare,€not€surprisingly,€less€extensive€than€the€services€that€aÐ \¬ Ðdisabled€child€enrolled€in€public€school€is€entitled€to€receive.€Ð X ÐNot€only€are€the€services€provided€to€students€in€these€twoÐ ´  Ðsettings€different€in€scope,€but€the€procedure€for€review€of€claimsÐ ` ° Ðof€a€denial€of€services€is€also€different.€€Parents€of€disabledÐ  \  Ðchildren€voluntarily€enrolled€in€private€school€cannot€initiate€aÐ ¸  Ðdue€process€hearing€if€they€feel€their€child€is€not€receiving€theÐ d´  Ðservices€required€by€IDEA.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€ðð€300.457(a).€€Rather,€suchÐ `  Ðparents€must€proceed€through€an€alternative€procedure€within€theÐ ¼  Ðstate's€administrative€apparatus.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€ðð€300.457(c).€€As€theÐ h¸ Ðcomments€to€the€draft€of€the€regulations€explain:Ð d ÐÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓWhile€there€may€be€legitimate€issues€regarding€theÐ À Ðprovision€of€services€to€a€particular€parentally-placedÐ –æ Ðprivate€school€child€with€disabilities€[that€a€localÐ l¼ Ðeducation€agency]€has€agreed€to€serve,€due€process€shouldÐ B’ Ðnot€apply,€as€there€is€no€individual€right€to€theseÐ h Ðservices€under€the€IDEA.€€Disputes€that€arise€about€theseÐ î> Ðservices€are€properly€subject€to€the€State€complaintÐ Ä Ðprocedures.Ð šê ÐÒ°²‚ÒÒ°À‚ÒÓ΂ÓÓÓÌÓC…Ó64€Fed.€Reg.€12406,€12605€(March€12,€1999).Ð F –! Ðà ` àAs€the€district€court€recognized,€any€complaints€thatÐ ò!B# ÐKatie's€parents€had€regarding€Katie's€IEP€in€the€fall€of€2001Ð ž#î% Ðshould€have€been€brought€through€the€state€complaint€process.€€TheÐ J%š ' Ðadequacy€of€the€IEP€was€not€an€appropriate€subject€for€the€dueÐ ö&F") Ðprocess€hearing€because€it€had€nothing€to€do€with€Greenland's€childÐ ¢(ò#+ Ðfind€obligation.€€Once€Greenland€identified€Katie€as€a€child€withÐ N*ž%- Ða€disability€in€September€2001,€the€district€had€performed€everyÐ ú+J'/ Ðact€reviewable€by€a€hearing€officer;€any€subsequent€obligations€itÐ ° Ðhad€to€provide€educational€services€to€Katie€were€matters€for€theÐ \¬ Ðstate€administrative€procedure,€which€would€apply€differentÐ X Ðstandards€to€evaluate€the€services€provided€than€did€the€dueÐ ´  Ðprocess€hearing€officer.€€òòSeeóó€34€C.F.R.€ðð€300.457(c)€(question€inÐ ` ° Ðstate€administrative€procedure€is€whether€the€district€met€itsÐ  \  Ðobligations€under€ðððð€300.451„300.462).€€That€decision,€moreover,Ð ¸  Ðwould€not€be€appealable€to€federal€court.€€òòSeeóó€òòVultaggioóó€v.€òòBd.€ofÐ d´  ÐEduc.óó,€343€F.3d€598,€601€(2d€Cir.€2003).Ð `  ÐòòÓÓóóB.€€òòTuition€Reimbursement€for€Students€Unilaterally€Placed€in€Ð ¼  Ðóó€€€€òòPrivate€Schoolsóó׃1×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ’â ÐÌÓ‹Óà ` àThe€substantive€question€in€this€case€is€whether€Katie'sÐ >Ž Ðparents€were€eligible€for€tuition€reimbursement€and,€if€so,€whetherÐ ê: Ðit€was€an€abuse€of€discretion€for€the€district€court€to€denyÐ –æ Ðreimbursement€for€either€Katie's€fifth€or€sixth€grade€school€year.׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РB’ ÐWe€affirm€the€district€court's€determination€on€the€ground€thatÐ î> ÐKatie's€parents€were€ineligible€for€reimbursement.€Ð šê Ðà ` àUntil€1985,€there€was€some€uncertainty€about€whether€theÐ F –! Ðremedy€of€reimbursement€for€private€school€tuition€was€availableÐ ò!B# Ðwhen€a€school€district€had€failed€to€provide€appropriate€servicesÐ ° Ðto€a€disabled€child€in€the€public€school.€€IDEA€itself€onlyÐ \¬ Ðauthorized€the€district€court€to€"grant€such€relief€as€[it]Ð X Ðdetermine[d]€is€appropriate."€€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1415(e)(2)€(1984),Ð ´  Ðòòrecodified€as€amendedóó€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1415(i)(2)(B).€€In€òòBurlingtonóó€v.Ð ` ° ÐòòDep't€of€Educ.óó,€471€U.S.€359€(1985),€the€Supreme€Court€held€thatÐ  \  Ðthis€clause€authorized€the€equitable€remedy€of€tuitionÐ ¸  Ðreimbursement.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€369.€€It€noted€that€the€broad€languageÐ d´  Ðof€the€statute€vested€courts€with€significant€discretion€to€craftÐ `  Ðappropriate€remedies€and€that,€in€cases€where€it€would€take€aÐ ¼  Ðsignificant€amount€of€time€for€the€school€to€offer€appropriateÐ h¸ Ðservices,€the€Act's€promise€of€a€òòfreeóó€appropriate€public€educationÐ d Ðcould€justify€the€remedy€of€reimbursement€for€private€schoolÐ À Ðtuition.€€òòId.óó€at€370.€€The€Court€also€found€that€tuitionÐ l¼ Ðreimbursement€was€available€even€in€some€instances€when€parents€hadÐ h Ðunilaterally€removed€their€child€from€public€school.€Ô#† X[,XXX[,’U#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô€òòId.óó€at€372.€Ð Ä Ðà ` àUncertainty€about€the€circumstances€under€which€tuitionÐ pÀ  Ðreimbursement€was€available€remained€even€after€òòBurlingtonóó.€€BeforeÐ !l" Ðthe€1997€IDEA€amendments,€several€circuits€had€held€thatÐ È"$ Ðreimbursement€for€private€school€tuition€depended€on€the€parentsÐ t$Ä& Ðcooperating€with€school€authorities€in€determining€the€properÐ  &p!( Ðplacement€and€educational€plan€for€the€child.€€òòSeeóó€òòPatricia€P.óó€v.Ð Ì'#* ÐòòBd.€of€Educ.óó,€203€F.3d€462,€468€(7òòóóth€Cir.€2000)€(listing€casesÐ x)È$, Ðinterpreting€pre„amendment€IDEA).€€As€one€court€noted,€"parentsÐ $+t&. Ðwho,€because€of€their€failure€to€cooperate,€do€not€allow€a€schoolÐ ° Ðdistrict€a€reasonable€opportunity€to€evaluate€their€disabled€child,Ð \¬ Ðforfeit€their€claim€for€reimbursement€for€a€unilateral€privateÐ X Ðplacement."€€òòId.óó€at€469.€€Although€few€courts€precisely€defined€theÐ ´  Ðlevel€of€cooperation€necessary,€most€thought€it€clear€that,€at€aÐ ` ° Ðminimum,€the€parents€had€to€inform€the€school€district€of€theirÐ  \  Ðconcerns€about€their€child's€special€needs€and€about€the€planÐ ¸  Ðproposed€before€removing€the€child€from€public€school.€€òòSeeóó€òòBergeróóÐ d´  Ðv.€òòMedina€City€Sch.€Dist.óó,€348€F.3d€513,€523€(6th€Cir.€2003)€("EvenÐ `  Ðbefore€the€IDEA€was€amended€to€explicitly€require€such€notice,€thisÐ ¼  Ðcourt€held€that€dissatisfied€parents€were€required€to€complain€toÐ h¸ Ðthe€public€school€to€afford€the€school€a€chance€to€remedy€the€IEPÐ d Ðbefore€removing€their€disabled€child€from€the€school.");€òòM.C.€exÐ À Ðrel.€Mrs.€C.óó€v.€òòVoluntown€Bd.€of€Educ.óó,€226€F.3d€60,€68€(2d€Cir.Ð l¼ Ð2000)€("[C]ourts€have€held€uniformly€that€reimbursement€is€barredÐ h Ðwhere€parents€unilaterally€arrange€for€private€educational€servicesÐ Ä Ðwithout€ever€notifying€the€school€board€of€their€dissatisfactionÐ pÀ  Ðwith€their€child's€IEP.")Ô#† X[,XXX[,g”#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô;€òòAshóó€v.€òòLake€Oswego€Sch.€Dist.,€No.€7Jóó,Ð !l" Ð980€F.2d€585,€589€(9th€Cir.€1992);€Ô#† X[,XXX[,#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,ÔòòEvansóó€v.€òòDistrict€No.€17óó,€841Ð È"$ ÐF.2d€824,€829€(8th€Cir.€1988).Ô#† X[,XXX[,/ž#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,ÔÐ t$Ä& Ðà ` àThe€1997€Amendments€endorsed€this€line€of€cases€andÐ  &p!( Ðhelped€clarify€the€amount€of€parental€cooperation€required€byÐ Ì'#* Ðadding€a€section€to€IDEA€entitled€"Payment€for€education€ofÐ x)È$, Ðchildren€enrolled€in€private€schools€without€consent€of€or€referralÐ $+t&. Ðby€the€public€agency."€€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C);€òòseeóó€H.R.€Rep.Ð ° Ð105„95,€at€93,€òòreprinted€inóó€1997€U.S.C.C.A.N.€78,€90.€€òòSeeÐ \¬ Ðgenerallyóó€òòGary€S.óó,€241€F.€Supp.€2d€at€114„15Ô#† X[,XXX[,Íž#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô.Ô#† X[,XXX[,^¡#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô€€That€section€beginsÐ X Ðwith€a€general€statement€of€policy€explaining€that€IDEA€does€notÐ ´  Ð"require€a€local€education€agency€to€pay€for€the€cost€of€education,Ð ` ° Ðincluding€special€education€and€related€services,€of€a€child€withÐ  \  Ða€disability€at€a€private€school€or€facility€if€that€agency€made€aÐ ¸  Ðfree€appropriate€public€education€available€to€the€child€and€theÐ d´  Ðparents€elected€to€place€the€child€in€such€private€school€orÐ `  Ðfacility."€€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C)(i).€€This€provision,€takenÐ ¼  Ðby€itself,€might€be€considered€ambiguous€as€applied€to€a€situationÐ h¸ Ðwhere,€as€here,€the€local€education€agency€was€never€informed€whileÐ d Ðthe€child€was€in€public€school€that€the€child€might€require€specialÐ À Ðeducation€services.€€But€this€seeming€ambiguity€disappears€whenÐ l¼ Ðconsidered€in€light€of€the€section's€affirmative€requirement€thatÐ h Ð"the€parents€of€a€child€with€a€disability,€who€previously€receivedÐ Ä Ðspecial€education€and€related€services€under€the€authority€of€aÐ pÀ  Ðpublic€agency"€can€receive€reimbursement€for€their€unilateralÐ !l" Ðplacement€of€the€child€in€private€school€only€"if€[a]€court€orÐ È"$ Ðhearing€officer€finds€that€the€agency€had€not€made€a€freeÐ t$Ä& Ðappropriate€public€education€available€to€the€child€in€a€timelyÐ  &p!( Ðmanner€prior€to€that€enrollment."€€òòId.óó€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C)(ii).Ð Ì'#* Ðà ` àThese€threshold€requirements€are€key€to€this€case:Ð x)È$, Ðtuition€reimbursement€is€only€available€for€children€who€haveÐ $+t&. Ðpreviously€received€"special€education€and€related€services"׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€whileÐ ° Ðin€the€public€school€system€(or€perhaps׃)D ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Ô#† X[,XXX[,¡¡#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ôthose€who€at€least€timelyÐ \¬ Ðrequested€such€services€while€the€child€is€in€public€school).€Ð X ÐThere€is€no€dispute€that€neither€Katie's€parents€nor€anyone€elseÐ ´  Ðrequested€an€evaluation€for€Katie€while€she€was€at€Greenland.€Ð ` ° ÐThere€is€also€no€dispute€that€she€was€removed€from€Greenland€forÐ  \  Ðreasons€having€nothing€to€do€with€any€issue€about€whether€Katie€wasÐ ¸  Ðreceiving€FAPE.€€Whether€some€of€the€techniques€used€for€Katie€inÐ d´  Ðthe€regular€classroom€(such€as€the€use€of€checklists)€may€also€beÐ `  Ðtechniques€used€in€special€education€is€beside€the€point.€€TheÐ ¼  Ðâ âpoint€is€that€there€was€no€notice€at€all€to€the€school€systemÐ h¸ Ðbefore€Katie's€removal€from€Greenland€that€there€was€any€issueÐ ° Ðabout€whether€Katie€was€in€need€of€special€education.Ð \¬ Ðâ  à ` àEven€for€children€who€received€special€education€servicesÐ X Ðin€the€public€schools€before€the€private€school€placement,€the€1997Ð ´  ÐAmendments€implemented€several€additional€limitations€onÐ ` ° Ðreimbursement.€€Those€limitations€reinforce€our€conclusion€thatÐ  \  ÐKatie€and€her€parents€are€not€eligible€for€tuition€reimbursement.€Ð ¸  ÐThe€statute€provides€that€reimbursement€may׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€be€denied€or€reducedÐ d´  Ðif€the€parents€do€not€give€the€school€district€notice€of€theirÐ `  Ðintent€to€remove€their€child€from€public€school€before€they€do€so.€Ð ¼  ÐòòId.óó€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C)(iii)(I);€òòseeóó€òòRaffertyóó€v.€òòCranston€Pub.€Sch.Ð h¸ ÐComm.óó,€315€F.3d€21,€27€(1st€Cir.€2002).€€That€notice€can€beÐ d Ðprovided€either€"at€the€most€recent€IEP€meeting€that€the€parentsÐ À Ðattended€prior€to€removal€of€the€child€from€the€public€school"€orÐ l¼ Ðby€written€notice€ten€business€days€prior€to€such€removal.€€20Ð h ÐU.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C)(iii)(I).€€The€statute€also€createsÐ Ä Ðexceptions€to€this€notice€requirement,€such€as€when€the€parents€areÐ pÀ  Ðilliterate€or€the€child€will€face€physical€or€serious€emotionalÐ !l" Ðharm€by€providing€notice.€€òòId.óó€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C)(iv).€€None€of€thoseÐ È"$ Ðexceptions€is€presented€here.€Ð t$Ä& Ðà ` àThese€statutory€provisions€make€clear€Congress's€intentÐ ° Ðthat€òòbeforeóó€parents€place€their€child€in€private€school,€they€mustÐ \¬ Ðat€least€give€notice€to€the€school€that€special€education€is€atÐ X Ðissue.€€This€serves€the€important€purpose€of€giving€the€schoolÐ ´  Ðsystem€an€opportunity,€before€the€child€is€removed,€to€assemble€aÐ ` ° Ðteam,€evaluate€the€child,€devise€an€appropriate€plan,€and€determineÐ  \  Ðwhether€a€free€appropriate€public€education€can€be€provided€in€theÐ ¸  Ðpublic€schools.€€òòSeeóó€òòPatricia€P.óó,€203€F.3d€at€468;€òòSchoenfeldóó€v.Ð d´  ÐòòParkway€Sch.€Dist.óó,€138€F.3d€379,€381„82€(8th€Cir.€1998);€òòcf.óóÐ `  ÐòòBurlingtonóó,€471€U.S.€at€373€(discussing€the€importance€of€reviewingÐ ¼  Ða€child's€educational€needs€while€the€child€is€in€the€regularÐ h¸ Ðpublic€school€classroom).€€Ð d Ðà ` àReading€IDEA€as€plaintiffs€propose€would€destroy€thoseÐ À Ðsafeguards.€€Here,€the€parents,€well€acquainted€with€IDEA,€gave€noÐ l¼ Ðnotice€that€Katie€might€need€special€education€services.€€Indeed,Ð h Ðthey€were€not€even€looking€for€such€services€when€they€removedÐ Ä ÐKatie€from€public€school.€€Several€courts,€relying€on€the€parents'Ð pÀ  Ðfailure€to€challenge€the€IEP's€adequacy,€have€found€insufficientÐ !l" Ðnotice€to€the€school€district€even€when€the€parents€requested€anÐ È"$ Ðevaluation€and€received€an€IEP€before€removing€their€child.€€òòSee,Ð t$Ä& Ðe.g.óó,€€òòBergeróó,€348€F.3d€at€523„24€(affirming€a€denial€ofÐ  &p!( Ðreimbursement€when€the€child's€parents€agreed€to€the€IEP€proposedÐ Ì'#* Ðby€the€school€and€only€informed€the€school€district€of€theirÐ x)È$, Ðconcerns€after€they€arranged€for€the€child's€enrollment€in€privateÐ $+t&. Ðschool);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòM.C.óó,€226€F.3d€at€68€(denying€reimbursement€forÐ ° Ðpsychological€counseling€that€the€court€assumed€necessary€for€theÐ \¬ Ðchild€to€benefit€from€special€education€because€the€parents€hadÐ X Ðfailed€to€raise€the€issue€in€the€child's€IEP€before€the€counselingÐ ´  Ðstarted).€€If€the€parents'€conduct€provided€inadequate€notice€inÐ ` ° Ðthese€cases,€then€there€was€clearly€insufficient€notice€here,€whereÐ  \  Ðthe€parents€never€even€raised€the€issue€of€special€education€beforeÐ ¸  Ðremoving€Katie€from€Greenland.׃%×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#† X[,XXX[,-ª#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,Ô€òòóóÐ d´  Ѐà ` àThe€regulations€promulgated€under€IDEA,€to€which€we€mustÐ `  Ðgive€deference,€òòIrving€Indep.€Sch.€Dist.óó€v.€òòTatroóó,€468€U.S.€883,Ð ¼  Ð892€&€n.9€(1984),€are€consistent€with€our€reading€of€the€statute.€Ð h¸ ÐFor€the€most€part,€the€regulations€provide€little€additionalÐ d Ðguidance€in€interpreting€the€statute€because€they€merely€repeat€theÐ À Ðstatute's€language.€€òòCompareóó,€òòe.g.óó,€20€U.S.C.€ðð€1412(a)(10)(C),Ð l¼ Ðòòwithóó€34€C.F.R.€ðð€300.403.€€However,€the€regulations€do€provide€oneÐ h Ðinterpretive€clue€by€organizing€the€statutory€provisions€dealingÐ Ä Ðwith€reimbursement€under€the€heading€"Children€with€DisabilitiesÐ pÀ  Ðenrolled€by€their€parents€in€private€school€when€FAPE€òòis€at€issueóó."€Ð ° ÐòòSeeóó€34€C.F.R.€ðð€300.403€(emphasis€added).€€This€formulationÐ \¬ Ðindicates€that€the€Department€of€Education€views€notice€asÐ X Ðcritically€important€in€the€statutory€scheme:€it€is€difficult€toÐ ´  Ðimagine€FAPE€being€"at€issue"€when€neither€the€school€nor€theÐ ` ° Ðchild's€parents€have€ever€raised€the€question€of€FAPE.€€Even€moreÐ  \  Ðthan€the€statute,€the€regulations€suggest€that€a€child€like€KatieÐ ¸  Ðwho€is€removed€from€her€school€without€her€parents€or€her€schoolÐ d´  Ðever€questioning€the€availability€of€FAPE€is€not€within€theÐ `  Ðcategory€of€children€eligible€for€tuition€reimbursement.€Ð ¼  Ðà ` àKatie's€parents€argue€that€even€if€they€did€not€giveÐ h¸ Ðsufficient€notice€to€Greenland€for€Katie's€fifth€grade€year,€theyÐ d Ðdid€provide€sufficient€notice€that€Katie€would€be€attending€LSA€byÐ À Ðthe€time€of€her€sixth€grade€year.€ò òó ó€Although€Greenland€was€certainlyÐ l¼ Ðaware€that€Katie€might€be€attending€LSA€for€the€fall€semester€ofÐ h Ðher€sixth€grade€year,€that€fact€is€beside€the€point.€€The€purposeÐ Ä Ðof€the€notice€requirement€is€to€give€public€school€districts€theÐ pÀ  Ðopportunity€to€provide€FAPE€before€a€child€leaves€public€school€andÐ !l" Ðenrolls€in€private€school.€€òòSeeóó€òòPatricia€P.óó,€203€F.3d€at€468Ð È"$ Ð(emphasizing€the€importance€of€cooperation€between€parents€and€theÐ t$Ä& Ðschool€district€before€the€child€is€removed€from€public€school);Ð  &p!( ÐòòSchoenfeldóó,€138€F.3d€at€381„82€(same);€òòTown€of€Burlingtonóó€v.€òòDep'tÐ Ì'#* Ðof€Educ.óó,€736€F.2d€773,€799€(1st€Cir.€1984)€(noting€the€distinctionÐ x)È$, Ð"between€a€unilateral€parental€transfer€made€after€consultationÐ $+t&. Ðwith€the€school€system€.€.€.€and€transfers€made€truly€unilaterally,Ð ° Ðbereft€of€any€attempt€to€achieve€negotiated€compromise€andÐ \¬ Ðagreement"),€òòaff'dóó,€471€U.S.€359€(1985).€€Once€a€child's€parentsÐ X Ðhave€unilaterally€removed€the€child€from€public€school,€subsequentÐ ´  Ðnotice€almost€a€year€after€removal€does€little€good.€Ð ` ° Ðà ` àAs€the€Supreme€Court€warned€almost€twenty€years€ago,Ð  \  Ð"parents€who€unilaterally€change€their€child's€placement€.€.€.Ð ¸  Ðwithout€the€consent€of€state€or€local€school€officials,€do€so€atÐ d´  Ðtheir€own€financial€risk."€€òòBurlingtonóó,€471€U.S.€at€373-74.€€ThisÐ `  Ðcase€demonstrates€that€the€Court's€admonition€remains€no€less€trueÐ ¼  Ðtoday.Ô#† X[,XXX[,z¿#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,ÔÐ h¸ Ðà ` àThe€district€court€also€reached€the€issue€whether€KatieÐ d Ðshould€have€been€classified€as€a€special€needs€student€in€May€2001.€Ð À ÐGiven€our€conclusion€that€tuition€reimbursement€is€unavailable€dueÐ l¼ Ðto€the€parents'€lack€of€notice€to€the€school€system€while€Katie€wasÐ h Ðenrolled€there,€the€issue€whether€Greenland€should€have€coded€KatieÐ Ä Ðas€disabled€in€May€2001€is€of€no€moment€to€this€case.ò òó óÔ#† X[,XXX[,|Î#ÔÔ‡X[,XX X[,ÔÐ pÀ  Ðà ` àIn€fact,€the€analysis€that€would€be€required€if€weÐ !l" Ðreached€that€issue€is€both€difficult€and€sensitive.€€Very€helpfulÐ È"$ Ðamicus€briefs,€taking€opposing€views,€have€been€submitted€by€theÐ t$Ä& ÐNew€Hampshire€Association€of€Special€Education€Administrators,€theÐ  &p!( ÐNew€Hampshire€School€Boards€Association,€and€NEA„NH€on€behalf€ofÐ Ì'#* ÐGreenland,€and€by€the€Disabilities€Rights€Center,€the€New€HampshireÐ x)È$, ÐPsychiatric€Association,€the€Asperger's€Association€of€New€England,Ð $+t&. Ðand€the€National€Alliance€for€the€Mentally€Ill€on€behalf€of€Katie'sÐ ° Ðparents.€€These€briefs€point€out€the€complications€involved€inÐ \¬ Ðdetermining€whether€any€child€should€be€coded€as€a€special€needsÐ X Ðchild€on€a€particular€date.€€They€also€discuss€the€concern€thatÐ ´  Ðadmirable€techniques€used€in€general€education€can€be€bootstrappedÐ ` ° Ðinto€supporting€a€special€education€finding€and€the€converse€dangerÐ  \  Ðthat€the€identification€of€special€needs€students€will€be€hiddenÐ ¸  Ðbehind€the€veil€that€all€students€receive€some€individualizedÐ d´  Ðtraining.€€Each€side€argues€that€an€interpretation€going€againstÐ `  Ðits€position€would€undercut€the€provision€of€services€to€studentsÐ ¼  Ðin€need.€€This€is€an€extremely€important€and€nuanced€question€ofÐ h¸ Ðlaw€that€we€leave€for€another€day.Ð d ÐÓ  Óò òIV.ó óÐ À ÐÓ5×Óà ` àò òòòAffirmedóóó ó.€€Costs€are€awarded€to€Greenland.Ð ˆØ Ðà ` àÔ#† X[,XXX[,ÆÐ#Ô