Copyright: 1999 - Oregon Advocacy Center
Portions of this Guide may be reproduced without the written permission of the Oregon Advocacy Center provided that the source is appropriately credited. 

Table of Contents

[A Note to Parents]

[The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act]

What is the IDEA?

Who is eligible?

What is a disability?

What if my child doesn't have one of these disabilities?

What is Section 504?

Who makes decisions for the child?

Who is responsible?

Who pays?

What is Assistive Technology?

What is an appropriate education?

[Step 1: The Identification of a Disability]

What is child find?

[Step 2: Evaluation]

What is an initial evaluation?

What must be included in an evaluation?

What is done with the evaluations?

How quickly should the evaluation be completed?

What is reevaluation?

What is an independent educational evaluation?

What are my evaluation rights?

[Step 3: The Individualized Education Program (IEP)]

What is an IEP?

Who attends the IEP?

Can the school have an IEP meeting without the parents?

What must be in the IEP?

What changes were made to the law?

What are my IEP rights?

[Step 4: Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment]

What is an educational placement?

How is placement decided?

What is the Least Restrictive Environment?

What if I don't like the placement?

What if I want the school district to pay for private school?

What are my placement rights?

[Extended School Year (ESY) Programs]

What is ESY?

How do I get ESY for my child?

What if there is no data?

What if I disagree with the ESY decision?

Where does my child go for ESY?

Is summer school the same as ESY?

[School Discipline]

May a child with a disability be suspended?

After my child is suspended, what obligation does the district have to review my child's IEP?

Can students with disabilities be expelled?

What if parents disagree with the manifestation determination?

How can students with disabilities be disciplined?

What if my child brings drugs or weapons to school?

What if my child physically harms others or self?

Will my child get special education in the alternative placement?

What happens after the 45 days is over?

What is a student has not yet been identified as eligible for special education?

[Transition from Special Education to Adult Services]

What are transition services?

When do transition services begin?

Who decides what transition services my child will get?

What are examples of transition services?

What if these other agencies don't provide a transition service?

Can my 18 year old make education decisions without me?

What if I think my 18 year old is unable to understand the IDEA and effectively advocate for his education?

[Notice Rules]

When must the school district give notice?

What must the written notice include?

[Preparing for Meetings]

What can I do to advocate for my child?

What can I do to prepare before a meeting?

How can I be more effective at the meeting?

Can I tape record the meeting?

[Resolving Disagreements]

What's my first step?

What is mediation?

What is a complaint to ODE?

How long does the investigation take?

How can a complaint resolve my disagreement?

What is a due process hearing?

Do I need an attorney?

How do I request a due process hearing?

What happens after I make my request?

What is the stay put rule?

What are my due process hearing rights?

Can I appeal a due process hearing decision?

[Writing to School District Administrators and Model Letters]

Why should I write to the school?

Who should get my letter?

What if I don't get a response?

Model letters

[Resources]

[Glossary]