What to Do When You Disagree with the School

In a perfect world, every IEP meeting would end with a collaborative agreement that perfectly meets your child’s needs. In the real world, disagreements happen. The school may refuse to provide a service you believe is critical, deny your request for an evaluation, or propose goals that you feel are inadequate. When this happens, it’s easy to feel defeated. But it’s important to remember that you have rights and a clear path for dispute resolution.

Here are the steps to take when you find yourself at an impasse with the IEP team.

Step 1: Do Not Sign in Full Agreement

If you are presented with an IEP that you do not agree with, do not sign it in full. You have several options:

• Take it home to review: You are never required to sign an IEP at the meeting. You can say, “I’d like to take this home to review it before I sign.”
• Sign in partial agreement: You can write on the signature line, “I consent to the implementation of this IEP with the exception of [the specific part you disagree with, e.g., the reading goal].” This allows the agreed-upon parts of the IEP to move forward while you work to resolve the dispute.

Step 2: Put Your Disagreement in Writing

Immediately after the meeting, send a formal letter or email to the IEP team leader. Clearly and professionally state what you disagree with and why. This creates a paper trail and formally documents your position.

For example: “Thank you for meeting with me today to discuss David’s IEP. I am writing to formally state that I do not agree with the team’s decision to remove his access to audiobooks. As we discussed, audiobooks are a critical accommodation that allows him to access grade-level text while he continues to work on his decoding skills.”

Step 3: Request Prior Written Notice (PWN)

This is a powerful, and often underutilized, tool. Prior Written Notice (PWN) is a legal document that the school must provide to you whenever it proposes or refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of your child.

If the school refuses a request you have made, you should always request a PWN. This document requires the school to explain why it is refusing your request and to provide the data and evaluation information it used to make that decision. Often, the act of having to put their reasoning in writing can cause a school to reconsider its position.

Step 4: Explore Your Dispute Resolution Options

If you are still unable to reach an agreement, IDEA provides several formal options for resolving disputes:

• Mediation: This is a voluntary process where you and the school meet with a neutral, third-party mediator to try and reach a compromise. The mediator does not make a decision but helps facilitate a conversation. It is offered at no cost to parents.
• Due Process Complaint: This is a formal, legal complaint that initiates a process that is similar to a court hearing. You and the school will present evidence to an impartial hearing officer, who will then make a legally binding decision.
• State Complaint: You can file a written complaint with your state’s department of education if you believe the school has violated a requirement of IDEA. The state will then investigate and issue a finding.

Navigating these options can be complex, and it is often wise to consult with a special education advocate or an attorney at this stage. Your state’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) can also provide free guidance on these processes.

Disagreeing with the school doesn’t make you a difficult parent; it makes you an engaged one. By understanding your rights and following a clear process, you can ensure that your voice is heard and that your child receives the appropriate education they are entitled to under the law.

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Related reading:

• How to Request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
• Writing a Powerful Parent Concerns Letter
• Understanding Your Rights Under IDEA