The Division of Administrative Law Appeals ("DALA") is an independent agency that conducts due process adjudicatory hearings for other Massachusetts state administrative agencies. Through its Bureau of Special Education Appeals, DALA also conducts mediations, advisory opinions and hearings to resolve disputes among parents, school districts, private schools and state agencies concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEPs), special education services and procedural protections for students with disabilities.