This guide is meant to help parents, schools, and community members use the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook. The parent guide to the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook was written by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). It is a start for learning about special education requirements. It is recommended to use this guide…

To help families navigate these processes, this tool is intended to introduce students and families to their rights in common scenarios, promote educational equity for students with disabilities, describe potential recourse or remedies for educational discrimination, and provide resources to enhance equity within schools. Families' rights and…

This handbook was developed to support parents of children with disabilities in understanding the Federal and State requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It provides information that promotes working with the school district to help provide appropriate services to children, while informing parents of their…

Children with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Children differ in mental abilities, sensory development, physical traits, emotional or social behaviors, or communication skills. Some may require modification to their school program or special education and related services in order to benefit from their…

With so many complex, challenging, and emotionally charged decisions involved, participating in an IEP meeting can seem like navigating through a minefield. But now there is a practical guide to managing these meetings with a high level of awareness, safety, and confidence. Developed for administrators, teachers, resource professionals, and…

The booklet offers guidelines to help parents of children with autism become more effective advocates for their children. Following a brief summary of parental rights in the education process, the booklet addresses special education and due process concerns. The hierarchy of procedures in bringing about a resolution of differences between parents…

This article describes how parent representatives can effectively prepare for and conduct due process hearings as required under Public Law 94-142 when conflict resolution efforts fail. Key terms involved in the legislation are discussed, as are applications of the Attorney's Fee Act to minimize the financial burden involved in such litigation.…

This guide for parents of children with disabilities explains the basics of the special education process focusing on parent participation in the process of developing the child's individualized education program (IEP). The first section reviews the IEP process including what is involved, the IEP meeting, who attends the IEP meeting, the role of…

This Spanish language guide for parents of children with disabilities explains the basics of the special education process, especially parent participation developing the child's individualized education program (IEP). The first section reviews the IEP process, including what's involved, the IEP meeting, who attends the IEP meeting, the role of…

This booklet describes Great Britain's Education Act of 1996, Part 4, which is related to the education of pupils with learning difficulties. Issues discussed are the main aspects of Part 4, the duty of local education agencies to include children with special needs in the mainstream, what parents should expect from their child's schools, what…

This fact sheet provides answers to frequently asked questions about provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) relating to special education eligibility, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and student placement. Specifically, information is provided on: (1) the purpose of the IDEA; (2) eligibility for services…

This booklet is intended to provide Ohio parents with information about their legal rights concerning the identification, evaluation, and placement of a preschool child with a suspected disability. The first section focuses on identification including the in-school identification system, the out-of-school identification system, and…

This article describes how parents may use individualized education program reviews, prehearing conferences, and mediation to resolve parent-school disputes in accordance with Public Law 94-142's due process hearing system. Specific guidelines for meetings with school personnel are offered. Examples are given of prehearing conferences and parents'…

This guide is designed to inform Illinois parents of children with disabilities about their childrens' educational rights and about special education services. Topics covered include: (1) steps to getting services, parent participation, and examples of modifications; (2) screening, referral, evaluation, and conference; (3) eligibility categories…

This guide for New York City parents of preschool children (ages 3 to 4) with possible disabilities is intended to provide necessary information about legal rights as well as a description of the evaluation and placement processes. Specifically addressed are the following topics: the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE); timing of…