PARENT’S RIGHTS:
An Overview of Special
Education Evaluations
For some families, special
education can be a new or
overwhelming idea. You may even
be unsure about what a special
education evaluation means.
This quick guide is meant to
help families understand special
education basics and some of the
key rights, or protections, that are
built into the system.
It's important you know that
the school must ask for your
permission to evaluate your child.
If your child is eligible for special
education, agreeing to these
services is
your choice.
SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION
If a child is suspected
of a having a disability
and needing services
A free special education
evaluation is oered
Evaluation report is
reviewed
If child is eligible,
parents may agree
or decline special
education services
Schools must ask for
parent permission
This evaluation is:
▶ Free – at no cost to you.
▶ A comprehensive evaluation based on multiple sources of data,
including information provided by you (Evaluation Procedures).
▶ Administered bytrained and knowledgeable professionals
(Parent’s Guide to ARD on pg. 6).
You will receive a copy of the results in an evaluation report.
The school must ask for your permission in writing before it may
evaluate your child. Agreeing to an evaluation does NOT mean you
agree to special education services (Parent’s Guide to ARD on pg. 5).
You are a member of the group that reviews the report and
determines whether your child is eligible for special education services.
▶ If your student is eligible, you may agree to or decline special
education services.
▶ If you disagree with the school’s evaluation, you have the right to
request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at school
expense (Parent’s Guide to ARD on pg. 17).
PARENT’S RIGHTS:
An Overview of
Special Education
If your child is eligible for special
education services and you agree to
these services, you, the parent, are a
part of an Admission Review and
Dismissal (ARD) committee and are a
required participant in the creation
of an Individualized Education
Program (IEP).
The IEP is a written, legal document
that ensures your child receives a free
appropriate public education (FAPE)
in the least restrictive environment
(LRE). Here are just a few of the
benets aorded to your child and
documented in the IEP.
1
FAPE and LRE
FAPE means that the school must give your child the
services, supports, and instruction that meet his/
her unique needs and prepare him/her for college,
career, and independent living. LRE means that your
child must be educated with children who do not
have disabilities as much as is appropriate to meet
his/her needs.
3
Specially Designed Instruction
(SDI) and Related Services
SDI is instruction that is designed specically to
address the unique needs of your child that result
from his/her disability. The purpose of SDI is to make
sure your child can learn and make progress in the
general curriculum. There are also certain related
services your child may need in order to benet
from special education. Some examples may include
counseling, occupational therapy, or other services.
Annual Goals, Accommodations,
and Modications
The ARD committee, which you are a part of, develops
annual measurable statements, or goals, of what your
child should be able to achieve. The ARD committee
must also document the accommodations and
modications your child needs to make progress.
Accommodations change HOW your child learns or
shows understanding. Modications change WHAT
your child is expected to learn.
5
Progress Monitoring
Goals that are written in the IEP must be monitored
and reported to you at least as often as grades are
reported. If your child is not making progress on
these IEP goals, the ARD committee must meet again
to address these needs.
Resolving Disagreements
There may be times when you and the school don’t
agree about your child’s special education and
related services. The state oers four formal options
for resolving special education disagreements:
state IEP facilitation, mediation services, the state
complaint investigation process, and the due process
hearing program (Procedural Safeguards p. 12).
2
4
6
Discipline Protections
There are special rules that apply to disciplinary
actions taken against a child with a disability. In
addition, certain disciplinary situations require the
ARD committee to meet and discuss the cause of the
behavior and determine next steps.
