Procedural Safeguards

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.

A formal legal proceeding where a parent or school district presents evidence before an impartial hearing officer to resolve a dispute about a child's identification, evaluation, placement, or provision of FAPE. Either party can request a due process hearing. Decisions are legally binding.

The requirement that parents must agree in writing before the school can conduct an initial evaluation, begin providing special education services, or re-evaluate their child. Consent is informed — parents must be told in their native language what the school is proposing and that they have the right to refuse.