When it comes to developing an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) for your child, you may disagree with the school over the accommodations your child needs. When that happens, you need to know your options to resolve the dispute and make sure your child rights are protected.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with disabilities are entitled to a “free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.” To comply with the requirements of IDEA, schools and parents work together to develop an IEP to best serve the child. Parents and school officials regularly evaluate the child’s academic progress under the IEP to determine whether the child’s needs are being met. When an IEP is not working for a child, parents and school officials work together to revise it. However, parents and school officials commonly disagree over what is “appropriate” in or what constitutes “the least restrictive environment.”
Sometimes, parents may present school officials with evidence from their child’s medical providers recommending certain accommodations, but the school’s providers believe differently. In other cases, parents and school officials may disagree over the sort of environment that is the least restrictive. As a result, parents often feel frustrated and helpless, believing there is nothing they can do. But there is good news.
The school does not have the final word. If you are in a disagreement with your child’s school over his or her IEP, there are steps you can take under the IDEA to resolve the problem and help ensure your child’s right to a “free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment” is protected. If you would like to talk with an attorney about how to resolve your disagreement with the school and ensure your child’s rights are protected, please give us a call at 888-748-5464 (KING).
King Law provides services to students and parents all across Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We are here to serve your family and ensure that your student’s needs are met.