The Parents'/Guardian's Role

You are your student’s first teacher and their strongest advocate. You are an essential member of the IEP team. 

Parents of students with disabilities from ages three through twenty-one have specific educational rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These rights are called procedural safeguards. Individuals serving as surrogate parents and students aged eighteen receiving special education services are also entitled to these rights. You should be offered a copy of the procedural safeguards annually. 

Parents/guardians must be given opportunities to participate in any decision-making meeting regarding their student’s special education services. Parents/guardians have the right to participate in individualized education program (IEP) discussions about their student's special education eligibility, assessment, educational placement/services, and other matters relating to their child’s free appropriate public education (FAPE).