Stay Put

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.

Another term for "stay put." During any administrative or judicial proceeding, the child must remain in their current educational placement unless the parents and the school district agree to a change. This prevents schools from unilaterally moving a child during a dispute.

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.