School Dist. of Phila. v. PA. DEPT. OF ED.

Opinion by

Judge Colins,

The School District of Philadelphia (District) appeals an order of the Secretary of Education (Secretary) which directed it to provide Branden E, a hearing-impaired child residing in the District, with transportation to a private clinic offering specialized auditory therapy. Brandens mother has intervened on behalf of her son.

Branden is an eight year old who suffers a progressive hearing loss. At times relevant here, Branden was severely to profoundly hearing impaired when not wearing hearing aids and, for his impairment, received biweekly “multisensory” therapy…