Your Rights Under Federal and State Law Include
the Right to:
- Request and receive a free evaluation by the public school if you think your child has a problem affecting progress in school. Assessment can be done in all areas of concern including vision, hearing, social/emotional/behavior, language, and motor skills.
- Have your child evaluated for the potential to benefit from assistive technology.
- Obtain an independent evaluation by an approved provider should you not agree with the school’s findings.
- Approve or decline all evaluations that are proposed for your child.
- Request and receive copies of all evaluations two school days before the Team meeting to develop the IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
- Attend and participate in all meetings where the IEP is developed.
- Participate in transition planning for your child beginning the year he/she turns 14.
- Bring a friend, professional, advocate, or attorney to all meetings.
- Receive a clear explanation of evaluation summaries.
- Meet whenever necessary with any school staff working with your child and reconvene the Team at any time.
- Reject part or all of the IEP, including parts that are missing.
- Review and inspect your child’s record.
- Participate in the decision to remove your child’s IEP or 504 Plan.
- Mediation to resolve differences with the school district regarding services for your child.
More information on your educational rights can be found at the Disability Law Center and Massachusetts Parent Information and Resource Center at the Federation for Children with Special Needs