Parents of children with disabilities, surrogate parents and students aged 18 or over
have specific rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These rights
are sometimes called procedural safeguards and are designed to keep families involved in
their child’s education and to provide families and schools a way to resolve disputes.

Procedural Safeguards

Procedural safeguards include the right to participate in all meetings, to examine all educational records, and to obtain an independent educational evaluation (IEE) of the child. Parents have the right to written notice when the school proposes to change or refuses to change the identification, evaluation or placement of a child. The law includes several ways to resolve disputes including mediation, a “Resolution Session” and due process hearings. Procedural safeguards include
legally binding written mediation agreements and confidentiality.

ND Department of Public Instruction Special Education

ND Parental Rights/Notice of Procedural Safeguards

When you Disagree . . .

IDEA gives parents a process to use when they disagree with the school about their child’s educational program. This process allows the school and parents to use a variety of different formats to come to an agreement.

Resolving Disputes Between Parents and Schools – Information from NICHCY

For more information on Parents Rights please contact Pathfinder Parent Center:  http://www.pathfinder-nd.org/