Letters to school district administrators can be effective in clarifying and resolving disagreements. If disagreements continue, letters may be used as evidence at a due process hearing. You also might write to school officials to confirm an agreement or the promise of additional services. The letter should state your understanding of the conversation to assure that you and the school district have the same understanding. The letter also provides a written record of the agreement. When needed, send copies of your letter to others in authority to get them involved or keep them informed. This also makes the person in authority accountable.

Letters may be written to:

• request an evaluation;
• disagree with the district's evaluation and to notify the district of your intent to obtain an independent evaluation;
• request an IEP or a change in the IEP;
• express concern about your child's placement and request a new placement;
• express concern about or request related services;
• request reimbursement for private school;
• request an inspection of your child's records;
• consent or to refuse consent, for your child's first evaluation or first special education placement; and
• request mediation or a due process hearing.

WHO SHOULD GET MY LETTER?

Send letters to the special education director or superintendent and your child's principal. You might want to send a copy to the classroom teacher. Keep a copy of every letter that you send. When you are writing regarding serious complaints, you might want to send the letter by certified mail with return receipt requested. Put both the return receipt and your copy of the letter in the file you are keeping for your child.

WHAT IF I DON'T GET A RESPONSE TO MY LETTER?

Check back with the school official to see that your letter was received. If not, provide another letter by certified mail. If you get a response but it is not satisfactory, check with someone else in the district with more authority. You may want to contact the Oregon Department of Education or resources in the community, including an attorney, to obtain advice or short-term assistance. Mediation and other approaches discussed in the chapter, Resolving Disagreements, may help to solve the problem.

[Model Letter #1] Request to School District
[Model Letter #2] Follow-up letter to a discussion with school district
[Model Letter #3] Notice to School District of Parents' Intention to Place Child in Private School
[Model Letter #4] Complaint to ODE
[Model Letter #5] Request for a Due Process Hearing