Special education hearings: Prevailing problems and practical proposals.

This article proposes improvements in independent due process procedures for the resolution of special educational disputes between parents and local educational agencies.  The suggestions are based on empirical findings and on importable practices from labor arbitration and civil adjudication. The authors suggest that independent hearing officers should be chosen according to competence and affirmative action and that their performance should be monitored. Additionally, they should be trained, paid for by the independent agency rather than local educational agencies, and should encourage settlement prior to due process decision.