Connecticut Hires Attorney to Oversee Special Education
The state added a new legal role to help resolve complaints and improve accountability for special education services.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Special Education
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The Connecticut State Department of Education has hired Kathleen Reiser to serve as a new special education attorney. This appointment aims to improve the state's complaint system and ensure students receive the free appropriate public education they are guaranteed under federal law.
Why it matters
The new position was created following a January report by WestEd that highlighted dissatisfaction with the current complaint process. By strengthening legal oversight, the department intends to address long-standing issues and improve outcomes for families navigating special education services.
The hiring of Kathleen Reiser follows a January 2026 WestEd report that flagged concerns within the state's complaint resolution system. The department must now manage cases that have historically faced significant delays, including instances of contested decisions lasting seven years.
The players
Kathleen Reiser
A newly appointed special education attorney who previously worked at the Law Office of Courtney P. Spencer, LLC.
Connecticut State Department of Education
The state agency responsible for overseeing public education and investigating special education complaints.
WestEd
A research and consulting organization that issued a report on the state's special education complaint system.
The details
The Connecticut State Department of Education uses its complaint system to investigate whether school leaders and staff have committed legal violations regarding student services. When complaints are filed, the department investigates the school's actions and issues formal decisions to determine if procedural or service changes are required to meet federal standards. Reiser brings experience from the Law Office of Courtney P. Spencer, LLC, and her previous role as director of the Office of Adjudications at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Timeline
January 2026: WestEd published a report recommending a special education attorney.
October 21, 2026: The department announced the hiring of Kathleen Reiser.
The Home Front
This appointment reflects a growing state-level effort to address administrative backlogs in education service delivery. It serves as an effort to ensure local school compliance aligns with federal standards while reducing the length of time families wait for contested case resolutions.
Parents and guardians should continue to document all communications and specific service concerns when filing a complaint with the department. If you believe your child is not receiving their required services, consult with an advocate or licensed professional to understand your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The takeaway
The appointment of an attorney is a direct response to feedback regarding the efficiency of the state's complaint resolution process. Families should track any new guidance provided by the department as the state works to reduce the backlog of contested education decisions.
Further reading
For more information on state policies, visit Special Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The CT Mirror.
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Do you trust your state's education department to effectively oversee special education complaint processes?
