Johnson v. Upland Unified School District

MEMORANDUM *

Brenton Johnson and his parents appeal the denial of relief under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (“IDEA”), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. The Johnsons contend that they are entitled to reimbursement for Brenton’s private assessment and schooling because the Upland Unified School District (the “District”) did not comply with the IDEA’S requirements. The district court upheld the state’s denial of relief. Nothing we have considered warrants reversal of the district court’s detailed and carefully-crafted findings. Accordingly, we affirm.

Under the IDEA, federal courts “must give ‘due weight’ to judgments of education policy,” Seattle Sch. Dist. No. 1 v. B.S., 82 F.3d 1493 , 1499 (9th Cir.l996)(quoting Union Sch. Dist. v. Smith, 15 F.3d 1519 , 1519 (9th Cir.1994)), and must give deference to state hearing officer findings, particularly when they are carefully detailed, Seattle Sch. Dist. No. 1, 82 F.3d at 1499, or are based on credibility determinations of five witnesses. Amanda J. ex rel. Annette J. v. Clark County Sch. Dist., 267 F.3d 877, 887-89 (9th Cir.2001) (as amended). We review the district court’s findings of fact for clear error, and its…