Families in
Transition
Children's rights in school based services are based on two main ideas.
Right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
This means an education that meets their needs and is no cost to their caregivers.
This means that children that are eligible for special education of any kind have the right to be educated in a way that meets their needs.
Right to education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
This means children with disabilities must be included in a classroom that is least restrictive for them while meeting their needs. This has two main rules:
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Children with disabilities are educated as much as possible with non-disabled children
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Separate classes, schools or removal to another environment is only if the addition of services and aids in the typical environment doesn’t meet their needs.
Other Children's Rights
Right to confidentiality
Right to have parents in meetings
Children in EI have the right to a smooth transition
Right to a Full and Individualized Evaluation
Evaluation must be individual- focused only on the child. And full so it must assess all areas related to the child’s suspected disability
Parent/Guardian Rights
Parents/Caregivers Meeting Rights
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Right to participate in meetings
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Right to bring others who are knowledgeable about your child to meeting
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Right to be informed of meetings 10 days before
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Right to ask for IEP meeting to be reassembled if there is an issue.
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Right to request IEP meeting to be held at a good time for them and the school
If you believe your rights or your child's rights have not been followed it is suggested that you reach out to an organization who can advise you.