This document summarizes parents' rights in the special education process under Ohio law. It discusses the history of special education law and key acts like IDEA. It then summarizes various aspects of the special education process, including consent requirements, evaluations, IEPs, least restrictive environment, parental participation and procedural safeguards. Key terms like FAPE, IEE and due process are defined in under 3 sentences.

1. Parent’s Rights In The Special Education Process Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children With Disabilities

11. Consent: Parent fully informed Parent understands and agrees in writing to proposed activity Parent knows consent is voluntary and can be revoked Evaluation: Procedures to determine if a child has a disability Nature and extent of services needed in academics but must also consider all areas of the child’s functioning Personally identifiable information includes: Name, address, personal identifier and/or a list of personal characteristics CONSENT Evaluation Definitions The short happy life of a parent Advocate © PACER Center, Inc., 1999

12. Parents must be given the opportunity to participate in all meetings related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement and the provision of FAPE for their child Parents are part of the group that make the decision regarding their child’s eligibility Parents are part of the group that make the decision regarding their child’s educational placement Participation in meetings © PACER Center, Inc., 1999

17. Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) means SPECIAL EDUCATION and RELATED SERVICES that are provided: FAPE  PACER Center, Inc., 1999 At Public Expense Under Public Supervision At No Cost to Parents Meets the Standards of the SEA Include Preschool, Elementary or Secondary School Are Provided in Conformity with an IEP Applies to All Children with Disabilities, Including Those Who Have Been Suspended or Expelled From School

21. PARENT CONSENT FOR EVALUATION PARENT CONSENT MAY BE GIVEN BY: Sample consent form Pull down the consent form from the OEC Website Parents may also give consent by writing a letter requesting an evaluation and stating consent

22. Evaluation Procedures © PACER Center, Inc., 1999 (c) (1) Any standardized tests given must be : validated for the purpose that it is used used by persons who are trained/knowledgeable used according to test instructions (d) (2) Any change from the standard evaluation conditions: must be included in the evaluation report

25. Evaluation Procedures (g) Child must be assessed in all areas of suspected disability (h) Evaluation identifies all needs, whether or not commonly linked to the disability category (i) Public agencies must use technically sound instruments (j ) Assessment tools must provide relevant information that assists persons in determining educational needs © PACER Center, Inc., 1999

32. SAMPLE PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE FORM

38. Keep records! Medical records School records -assessments -IEPs -discipline reports Letters Observations Telephone notes, etc . © PACER Center, Inc., 1999

39. School Records Right to inspect and review all educational records in child’s file An agency may presume that the parent has authority to inspect and review his or her child’s records unless the agency has been advised otherwise under applicable State laws highly confidential! © PACER Center, Inc., 1999

48. Decision within 45 days with no exception or extensions Hearing officer must be impartial (no conflict of interest) Decision may be appealed (using normal appeal procedures) Expedited Hearing © PACER Center, Inc., 1999