J.E. v. New York City Department of Education
Plaintiff J.E. filed this action against the New York City Department of Education (DOE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and New York State Education Law. J.E. sought private school tuition reimbursement for her minor daughter, J.G., whom she unilaterally enrolled in the Rebecca School, challenging administrative decisions that denied funding. The court reviewed the case to determine if J.G. was denied a free appropriate public education (FAPE), if the private placement was appropriate, and if equities favored reimbursement. The court found a procedural violation by the DOE, concluding that the IEP was predetermined without meaningful parental input, which constituted a denial of FAPE. Consequently, J.E.'s motion for summary judgment was granted, and the DOE's cross-motion was denied, with an order for tuition reimbursement.