Search for Information

How can I search for specific information?

There are several methods to assist you in searching for information on the C-SPED web site. You can complete a search using the search options at the top of each page of the web site. Enter a word or phrase and click on the Search button to search "all sites" of the web site. To narrow or restrict your search to a particular section of the web site, choose a section from the drop-down list in the box next to Restrict Search.

In addition, there are search options for locating court decisions, letters of findings from the Office of Civil Rights, and letters of clarification from the Office of Special Education Programs as outlined below.

How can I search specifically for court decisions?

There is a search specifically designated for you to locate court decisions and court cases. This search is found under the Court Decisions section. On the navigation bar (on the far left of your screen), click on Court Decisions and you will see the subheading of Search Decisions. Click on this subheading and the search options will be shown.

A search of the Court Decision database can be conducted using the following parameters:

• C-SPED Number - If you know the number assigned to the document by C-SPED, simply enter it and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Case Title - Enter the title of the case and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Case Number - Enter the case number and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Date Range - Enter the range you would like to search by entering the month, day and year (mm/dd/yyyy) in the "from" and the "to" date fields. Click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Major Topic - Select the topic you would like to search from the drop-down table and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.

If you know the C-SPED Number , Case Title or Case Number, a specific search will be conducted based on that particular information. If you are unsure of the specific number or case title, you can broaden your search by using multiple search options, such as the Date Range and Major Topic options.

Can I conduct a search specifically for Letters of Clarification from the U.S. Office of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)?

Yes, there is a search specifically designed to locate Letters of Clarification from OSEP. This search is located under the Special Education section. On the navigation bar (on the far left of your screen), click on Special Education and you will see the subheading of Search OSEP Letters. Click on this subheading and the search options will be shown.

You can conduct a search of the OSEP Letters of Clarification database using the following parameters:

• C-SPED Number - If you know the number assigned to the document by C-SPED, simply enter it and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• State - Select the state using the drop-down table and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Date Range - Enter the range you would like to search by entering the month, day and year (mm/dd/yyyy) in the "from" and the "to" date fields. Click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Key Topic - Select the key topic from the drop-down table and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.

You can narrow your search by using the C-SPED Number, selecting a specific state, or by selecting a Key Topic. A broader search can be conducted by using multiple search options, such as the Date Range and Key Topic.

How can I conduct a search specifically for Letters of Findings from the U.S. Office of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR)?

There is a search specifically designed to locate Letters of Findings from OCR. This search is located under the OCR section. On the navigation bar (on the far left of your screen), click on OCR and you will see the subheading of Search OCR Letters. Click on this subheading and the search options will be shown.

You can conduct a search of the OCR Letters of Findings database using the following parameters:

• C-SPED Number - If you know the number assigned to the document by C-SPED, simply enter it and click on the search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• State - Select the state using the drop-down table and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• School District - Enter the name of the school district and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• OCR Region - Select the OCR office using the drop-down table and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Date Range - Enter the range you would like to search by entering the month, day and year (mm/dd/yyyy) in the "from" and the "to" date fields. Click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.
  
  
• Key Topic - Select the key topic from the drop-down table and click on the Search button at the bottom of the page.

You can narrow your search by entering the C-SPED Number or School District. A search can also be narrowed by selecting a specific state, OCR region, or by selecting a Key Topic. A broader search can be conducted by using multiple search options, such as the Date Range and Key Topic.