Parent Rights

Parent Rights / Procedural Safeguards

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law concerning the education of students with disabilities, requires schools to provide parents of a child with a disability with a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under the IDEA and U.S. Department of Education regulations.

Since July 1, 2005, provision of procedural safeguards to parents are required one time per school year. In addition to the once a year requirement, they must be given to a parent:
• upon initial referral for evaluation;
• on the date the decision is made to make a removal that constitutes a disciplinary change of placement;
• upon parental request for an additional copy;
• and, upon the first occurrence of the filing of a due process hearing request or child complaint.

Procedural Safeguards provide parents with information on various aspects of special education so they can make informed decisions about their child’s educational services.