Rivas v. Carranza — 2d Cir. (argued September 9, 2026)
The Second Circuit reviews a special-education plan for a child with severe multiple disabilities. A state review officer approved a twelve-to-one-plus-four class and thirty-minute related-service sessions for the 2019–20 school year. After a federal court upheld that decision, the parent appealed. A later New York Court of Appeals decision requires officials to choose the applicable class-size option that best meets the child's individual needs. The appeal asks whether the officer made that comparison, and whether the shorter sessions were appropriate.
Rivas v. Carranza (No. 25-1839) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 9, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit:https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-1839.mp3
Argument date — Second Circuit oral argument search:https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html
State Review Officer decision 20-138 — New York State Education Department:https://www.sro.nysed.gov/decision/2020/20-138
Cruz v. Banks — New York Court of Appeals:https://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/Decisions/2026/Feb26/1opn26-Decision.pdf
Second Circuit decision applying Cruz:https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca2/24-1147/24-1147-2026-04-07.html
Appellate docket and counsel — Docket Alarm:https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/US_Court_of_Appeals_Second_Circuit/25-1839/Rivas_v._Carranza/
Rory J. Bellantoni — Liberty & Freedom Legal Group:https://libertyfreedom.law/meet-our-team/rory-bellantoni/
Hanna L. St. Marie appearance — New York State Unified Court System:https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad2/Handdowns/2026/Decisions/D81499.pdf
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:24Rory J. Bellantoni
- 13:52Hanna L. St. Marie