Before I get started, what are my rights in the process?
Overview of Special Education
Parents have the right to:
- Participate in all meetings regarding special education and their child’s IEP. Parents are a member of the IEP Team.
- Give or withhold written consent
- 14 calendar days to respond to any proposal, refusal or request by the IEP team
- Be notified about important decisions regarding their child’s special education (Written Prior Notice)
- 10 days written notice of IEP meetings
- Have access to evaluation reports and other pertinent documents 5 days before an IEP team meeting
- Receive information in a way that is understandable
- Be provided with an interpreter or translator if needed
- File a complaint, request mediation, request a due process hearing or neutral conference
Download a basic overview of the special education process (PDF).

The Parent Information Center on Special Education is funded in part or
whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education
Programs Grant No. H328M100016. The contents of the website, however, and
any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or polices
of the U.S Department of Education.