Parental Consent

A written document that the school must provide to parents whenever it proposes or refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of FAPE to a child. The notice must describe what the school is proposing (or refusing), why, what evidence was considered, and what other options were considered.

The process of gathering information to determine whether a child has a disability and needs special education services. An evaluation must use a variety of assessment tools and strategies, cannot rely on a single measure, must be administered by trained professionals, and must assess all areas of suspected disability.

A set of rights guaranteed to parents under IDEA that protect their ability to participate in decisions about their child's education. These include the right to written notice before changes, access to records, informed consent, participation in meetings, and the right to disagree through mediation or due process.