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Special Education Rights for Parents and Children

 

Procedural Safeguards (Notice of Parental Rights)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Federal law concerning the education of students with disabilities, requires schools to provide parents of a child with a disability with a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under the IDEA and U.S. Department of Education regulations.

A copy of this notice must be given to parents at least one time a school year.

A copy must also be shared upon:

  • initial referral or parent request for evaluation,
  • upon receipt of a first State complaint,
  • upon receipt of the first due process complaint in a school year,
  • when a decision is made to take a disciplinary action that constitutes a change of placement; and
  • upon parent request.

English: Full Size Procedural Safeguards Notice 

No cover, includes table of contents, 12 pt, 42 pages, updated 12/23/08

English: Condensed Procedural Safeguards Notice 

No cover, no table of contents, 10 pt, 19 pages, updated 12/23/08

Español: Tamaño completo Avisos de Garantías de Procedimiento

copy full size description but translate to Spanish, updated 3/13/09

Español: Avisos de Garantías de Procedimiento en fuente de 10 puntos

copy condensed size description but translate to Spanish, updated 3/13/09

Hmong: Tsab Ntawv Ceeb Toom Txog Cov Txheej Txheem Tiv Thaiv Kev Ruaj Ntseg

copy full size description but translate to Hmong,updated 3/13/09

Communication Options for Families

The Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI) developed a resource that provides families with options available if families have questions or disagree with a decision of the school. The Communication Options for Families resource emphasizes how families and schools have a “built-in” partnership with the child as the focus and how this partnership will grow when parents and school staff work together.

English (PDF): Communication Options for Families

English (fill-in): Communication Options for Families

Espanol (PDF): Opciones de comunicación para familias

Espanol (fill-in): Opciones de comunicación para familias

​Hmong (PDF): Tej Kev Sib Txuas Lus Rau Cov Tsev Neeg

Hmong (fill-in): Tej Kev Sib Txuas Lus Rau Cov Tsev Neeg

Dispute Resolution Options 

Parents, adult students, and schools have different options on how to solve disagreements. The resource below gives a brief overview of the different dispute resolution options and includes contact information for each option. These options include Mediation, IDEA State Complaint, and Due Process Hearings.

Parent Rights for Language Translation and Interpretation

Additional Special Education Legal Requirements

Information Update Bulletins, Wisconsin DPI: Find legal guidance on a large variety of special education topics including evaluations, transportation, use of special education paraprofessionals, extended school year, discipline, behavioral supports, assistive technology, shortened school days, and much more.

Endrew F. Advocacy Toolkit, Understood.org: This resource provides families with talking points they can bring to IEP team meetings. These talking points outline many of the requirements highlighted from the 2017 Supreme Court case that redified requirements for provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Special Education Key Resources

These resources that all families and educators should know and share.

For those new to special education:

For those who want to know special education laws in parent friendly language:

For those seeking help finding resources for their child with a disability:

  • Wisconsin Wayfinder, Department of Health Services: Wisconsin Wayfinder supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions. Children’s resource guides are helpers who assist families, caregivers, professionals, and organizations in finding a wide array of supports and services available through the Children’s Resource Network. Their services are free and confidential. Connect with a children's resource guide. Call (877) WiscWay or use our contact form.

Families Preparing For IEP Meetings 

Students Preparing For IEP Meetings 

Videos and Recorded Trainings 

  • An Introduction to Special Education: Aimed at parents of students with disabilities, this video covers the special education process, including Evaluation, Referral, Creation of the Individualized Education Plan, Placement, and Annual Review. Also touched on are Extended School Year Services and strategies for resolving disagreements. Brought to you by the DPI and the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI).
  • WI FACETS Training Webinar Recordings: A large variety of recorded trainings on lots of special education and disability topics. WI FACETS
  • How to Conduct Friendly and Productive IEP Team Meetings: A video for educators to improve the experience of IEP meetings for families. Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System
  • Videos on Transition from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare: Youth and family members from WI tell their stories of how they have used the tools during their transition journey. The videos feature youth and their family members talking about Adult Providers, Medications, Decisions, and Appointments. Health Transition Wisconsin.

 

Special Education Key Resources

These resources that all families and educators should know and share.

For those new to special education:

For those who want to know special education laws in parent friendly language:

For those seeking help finding resources for their child with a disability:

  • Wisconsin Wayfinder, Department of Health Services: Wisconsin Wayfinder supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions. Children’s resource guides are helpers who assist families, caregivers, professionals, and organizations in finding a wide array of supports and services available through the Children’s Resource Network. Their services are free and confidential. Connect with a children's resource guide. Call (877) WiscWay or use our contact form.

Special Education Key Resources

These resources that all families and educators should know and share.

For those new to special education:

For those who want to know special education laws in parent friendly language:

For those seeking help finding resources for their child with a disability:

  • Wisconsin Wayfinder, Department of Health Services: Wisconsin Wayfinder supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions. Children’s resource guides are helpers who assist families, caregivers, professionals, and organizations in finding a wide array of supports and services available through the Children’s Resource Network. Their services are free and confidential. Connect with a children's resource guide. Call (877) WiscWay or use our contact form.

Special Education Key Resources

These resources that all families and educators should know and share.

For those new to special education:

For those who want to know special education laws in parent friendly language:

For those seeking help finding resources for their child with a disability:

  • Wisconsin Wayfinder, Department of Health Services: Wisconsin Wayfinder supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions. Children’s resource guides are helpers who assist families, caregivers, professionals, and organizations in finding a wide array of supports and services available through the Children’s Resource Network. Their services are free and confidential. Connect with a children's resource guide. Call (877) WiscWay or use our contact form.