Forms Guide M-1: Notice of Response to an Activity Requested by a Parent

Introduction

Use form M-1 when a parent requests the local education agency (LEA or agency) to take an action, and the agency either proposes an alternate course of action or refuses the parent’s request. 34 CFR § 300.503(a); Wis. Stat. § 115.792(1)(b).

Implementation Considerations

A parent may request an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting to address services for their student, and the agency should grant any reasonable request for an IEP team meeting. 64 Fed. Reg. 12,580 and 12,624 (1999). If the district denies the request for an IEP team meeting, the LEA must provide the parent with a notice of refusal in writing. 34 CFR § 300.503; Wis. Stat. § 115.792. The notice must include an explanation of why the LEA refuses to grant the request 34 CFR § 300.503(a); Wis. Stat. § 115.792(1)(b).

Form Content and Explanations

Content: Date of request and notice. Explanation: The agency must respond within a reasonable amount of time after receiving a parent request to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, educational placement of the student, or the provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE) to the student. 34 CFR § 300.503; Wis. Stat. § 115.792.

Content: On ____ you requested that the [agency] take/not take the following action regarding your child. Explanation: Enter a description of the action requested by the parent, the date of the request, and the student’s name. 34 CFR § 300.503(a); Wis. Stat. § 115.792(1)(b).

Content: This notice is to inform you that the [agency]...Explanation: If the agency proposes an alternate course of action, check the box “Proposes the following action regarding your request.”  State the course of action, the reason, and any other options considered and the reasons rejected. If the agency refuses the action proposed by the parent, check the box “Refuses your request.” State the reasons and any other options considered and the reasons rejected. 34 CFR § 300.503(a);
Wis. Stat. § 115.792(1)(b).

Content: Parents have procedural safeguards and can contact other sources for assistance about understanding their rights. Explanation: A required notice must inform parents of the protections they have under the procedural safeguards of IDEA and of sources they can contact to obtain information and assistance in understanding IDEA and state special education law. 34 CFR §§ 300.503(b)(4) and (b)(5); Wis. Stat. §§ 115.792(2)(g) and (2)(h).

The agency is not required to provide the parents with a copy of the complete procedural safeguards notice if the agency previously provided the parents with a copy of the procedural safeguards in the current school year. However, if parents request another copy of the procedural safeguards, the agency must provide one.