Do You Know Your Rights?
Many parents of students with disabilities are participating in their child’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting this time of year. These meetings with your child’s IEP committee kickoff the planning for the upcoming year and include discussions and data around your child’s progress in school and with their IEP goals.
IEP meetings can be raw and emotional, especially when what a parent observes at home conflicts with what teachers see at school. It’s especially difficult to hear about your child’s deficits. It’s ok to disagree with the direction of the committee, therefore it’s critical to understand your rights and that of your child.
You have the…
right to a draft of the IEP and evaluations prior to the meeting.
right to receive a procedural safeguards packet
right to have parental participation
You are a vital member of the team
rIght to access educational records
right to confidential information
right to informed parental consent before assessment
right to Prior Written Notice
i.e. Invitation to the meeting in writing
right to Understandable Language
All documents should be explained to you for understanding.
right to Independent Educational Evaluation
right to Stay Put
“Stay put” rights apply when you dispute a change the school wants to make to your child’s IEP.
When you invoke this right, your child’s current placement can remain the same until you and the school resolve the dispute.
right to Dispute Resolution
All complaints, requests for mediation, or an impartial hearing must be completed in writing.
right for your child to Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE)
All of this can be overwhelming which is why I am here to support!
#standreadytosupport