IDEA Does Not Require Students to be Classified by Their Disability

In Pohorecki v. Anthony Wayne Local School District, 53 IDELR 22 (N.D. Ohio 2009), a court determined that the IDEA does not require children to be classified by their disability type. It does require that a child identified as needing special education and related services be regarded as a child with a disability and that a free and appropriate public education be provided. The label or disability category assigned merely guides IEP teams as they develop an appropriate education plan. There was sufficient evidence in this case that the student met the IDEA's definition of ED and that classification was appropriate.