The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides certain parental rights of families who have a child with a disability. The following list is a brief overview of parent rights, but not a comprehensive list:
Prior Notice to Parents: School personnel must provide you written notice prior to proposing or refusing to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of your child, or the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to your child.
Parent Consent: As a parent or guardian you must provide written consent before the school district can initially evaluate your child for a suspected disability, and before initially providing your child with special education and related services based on an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Your consent must be informed consent, so the school personnel will inform you about which disability they suspect prior to conducting the individual, multidisciplinary evaluation. School personnel will also cover all components of the proposed written IEP, prior to obtaining your consent to provide the special education and related services.
Evaluation: The evaluation, to determine if your child has a disability under IDEA, and the re-evaluation will be at no cost to the parent or guardian. A copy of the evaluation report and the documentation of determination of eligibility will be given to the parent.
Access to Records: The school district will permit parents to inspect and review all education records relating to the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of your child, and the provision of FAPE. Parents have all rights under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The information maintained by the school district regarding your child's educational records will be kept confidential with personnel involved in your child's education.
Mediation, Formal Complaint, and/or Due Process: Both the parent and the school district have the right to seek mediation from an outside source through the Oklahoma State Department of Education or request a due process hearing to settle any dispute among the parties. Mediation is a voluntary process and is provided at no cost to the parent and the district.
A parent can also file a signed written complaint regarding alleged violations of IDEA with the Edmond Public School District's Director of Special Services (address: 215 N. Blvd., Edmond, OK 73034) or with the Oklahoma State Department of Education.