HOW ARE PARENT’S AND CHILDREN’S RIGHTS PROTECTED?

The Children’s Center wants to provide an appropriate educational setting possible for all its students. In doing this, certain procedures must be kept in mind. The law requires that providers of services shall establish procedures to protect the rights of disabled students and their parents or guardians; these procedures are called Procedural Safeguards and Parent Rights. 

Parents/Students have the right to: written prior notice for evaluation or change of educational placement; written permission of the student's parent's) or guardian  to begin a diagnostic evaluation of a student, ; the right of the parent's) or guardian to examine all reports and educational records of the student with regard to evaluation and the provision of a free, appropriate public education; the right of parent's) to an independent evaluation of the student; the right to have a copy of the IEP provided at no cost, and when requested, in the primary language of the parent; confidentiality of records and other information regarding the student; the right to an impartial Due Process hearing regarding the identification, evaluation, placement, and provision of a free, appropriate public education for the exceptional student; the right to electronically record the proceedings of the IEP meetings with at least 24 hours prior notification given to the district.

What standard of service does my child have a right to?

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in the Rowley case, which declares that under federal law an "appropriate" educational program and placement is one which provides services to the disabled student sufficient for him/her to obtain "educational benefit." It does not entitle the student to the "best" possible educational program or a “potential maximizing" education. The plan of instruction and placement should be likely to result in educational progress not regression- or trivial educational advancement.

If dissatisfaction/disagreement arises

If I believe my child is not receiving the services agreed upon in the IEP?

Contact your child’s special education teacher or the principal. If need be, you should request an IEP meeting.

If I am not happy with my child's progress, whom do I contact first? If I still do not get the situation
satisfactorily resolved, to whom can I speak?

First, contact your child's teacher. If you are not able to resolve the problem, then speak to the principal. If need be, you should request an IEP meeting.

If I am not happy with my child's special education placement, what can I do?

Call the principal to request an IEP meeting to consider other alternatives.

Sincerely,

Administraton and Staff at The Children's Center at UCP