Hearing Official Requirements

If you are interested in becoming a Hearing Official for the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC), please send a resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in serving in this capacity to SERC.

At a minimum, a hearing officer:

1. May not be an employee of the school or agency involved in the education or care of the child; or
2. May not be a person having a personal or professional interest that conflicts with the persons objectivity in the hearing; and
3. Must possess knowledge of, and the ability to understand, the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); federal and state regulations pertaining to IDEA; and legal interpretations of IDEA by federal and state courts; and
4. Must possess the knowledge and ability to conduct hearings in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice; and
5. Must possess the knowledge and ability to render and write decisions in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice.

Additionally:

1. All Hearing and Appeal Officials assigned by the this office are expected to have the ability and experience necessary to weigh evidence and testimony presented and to make decisions in keeping with the evidence and testimony.
2. All Hearing and Appeal Officials are expected to remain impartial in discharging their responsibilities at all times.  If this is not possible, all Hearing and Appeal Officials have the responsibility to inform this office immediately.
3. All Hearing and Appeal Officials are expected to conduct hearings in a professional manner in accordance with established procedure, write decisions in a clear and concise manner based on law, and possess sufficient time to devote to these activities.
4. No individual who is an official or employee of an LEA will be assigned as a Hearing or Appeal Official.  No attorney who currently represents parents or school districts or who, within recent years, has represented parents or school districts, will be assigned as a Hearing Official.
5. All Hearing and Appeal Officials will possess at least a law degree, or a minimum of a Master’s degree in education, special education, psychology, or any related field.  There is a preference for law degrees.  All Appeal Officials will have met the minimum training standards required of

Hearing Officials and will have served in that capacity for at least two years in Oklahoma.

Special Education Resolution Center, 9726 E. 42nd Street, Suite 203, Tulsa, OK 74146