Know Your Rights & Responsibilities
It all starts here.
“Schools don’t have children, parents do. Parents don’t need to be empowered, they need to be in power.”
— Christopher Stewart, 8 Black Hands
The 8 Black Hands have written an amazing must-read guide for the village on navigating the education system.
Click here to download your copy of the On Code e-book from their website.
Read About Family & Student Rights in Public Schools
What is Special Education?
Laws that Protect Civil and Education Rights of Children With Disabilities: Section 504 and IDEA
Pyramid of Rights | Protections for Students with Disabilities | PAVE
Accommodations & Modifications for Students with Disabilities | PAVE
What is an IEP and how do you make sure your child’s needs are met?
An IEP or “Individualized Education Plan” is written contract between a family and a school district meant to ensure that a student with disabilities receives a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) in the “least restrictive environment” (LRE) for them.
Ed Post has an excellent explainer about the basics (and all the vocabulary) to get you started on advocating for your student. Click here to go to the article.
Once you’ve gone over the basics, use the sample letters in the OEO Getting Started with Disability Supports at School toolkit to request an evaluation (or further evaluations) and to help you track the school district’s response.
Compartiendo una nueva diagnosis de su hijo/a con la escuela en español
Learn more from OSPI’s Special Education Team
How to navigate OSPI’s Special Education Website for families.