The basics

Searching the database

By default, a query matches documents that contain every word you type. Operators let you broaden, narrow, or sharpen that match.

Searching from the home page

Search hearing decisions…Search

"phrases"OR-excludeofficer:/5 nearbyMore →

Every operator, at a glance

All words

default

autism iep

Returns documents that mention both terms. Order doesn’t matter.

Any of

autism OR dyslexia

Broadens the search; either word may appear. Useful for synonyms or related conditions.

Exclude

NOT · -

compensatory -denied

Filters out any document containing the excluded term. NOT works too.

Exact phrase

"…"

"extended school year"

Words must appear together, in order. Best for statutory phrases and terms of art.

Issue tag

issue:

issue:stay-put

Narrows to a built-in issue category: IEE, ESY, placement, discovery, compensatory education.

Word stems

neuro*

Matches every word that starts with the stem: neurological, neuropsych, neurodevelopmental.

Near each other

/n /s /p

parent /s prevailed

Same sentence. Use /5 for within five words, /p for same paragraph.

Mix any operators in one query. The sidebar filters (year, hearing officer, district…) layer on top.

"extended school year" autism -denied year:2024