Education Laws
Parents Rights and Services
Individual with Disabilities Education Act
Provides free and appropriate education for students with disabilities in the US. This law is what protects students from birth to age 21 to be provided while attending school. The link below gives a full overview of the law.
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Individualize Education Plan (IEP)
Legal document for students with disabilities that are attending PreK-12th Grade. This should include the following components; present levels of academic and functional performance, students strengths, IEP goals based on present levels, accommodations/modifications needed to access education, Transition plan once 14 and 1/2, Behavior intervention plan if needed, Functional behavior assessment, Assessments along with accommodations needed, type of services and type of placement (Should be least restrictive environment), and finally meeting notice and notes.
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Parents should have an annual meeting every school year this date will be determined by annual review. Parents have the right to request a meeting at anytime to discuss the IEP. This is a legal document the school and teachers have to follow.
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The link below also provides an understanding of what an IEP is.
https://www.understood.org/articles/en/what-is-an-iep
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Law enacted in 1990 which prohibits discrimination against and individual with a disability and this includes all areas of the individuals life (jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public).
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Most commonly associated with buildings being accessible for those with physical disabilities. However this law also covers accommodations within higher education and IDEA does not cover past 12th grade.
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The link below provides more information on ADA.
Section 504
Section 504 is similar to having an IEP but not the same. Students who have an IEP are also protected under 504 and do not need to have both.
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A 504 plan can be written for any individuals with a documented disability ranging from a physical handicap, diabetes, or ADHD. The plan looks different than and IEP and does not have all the components.
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It could be something similar to a student with diabetes needing staff to monitor the students blood sugar throughout the day.
See the link below to learn more about 504 plans.
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/what-is-section-504/
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA protects students records and rights to privacy. What this means is when your child turns 18 the rights are transfered to the student and they do not have to allow parents access to their educational records.
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Students can request their records be shared with parents. This can be all records such as grades and billing to being limited to what is shared. See the link below for more information.
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Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Leagalrights of students from birth to 12th grade are protected under FAPE. This is a section of 504.
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Free means that the government pays for the education of students with disabilities at no cost to the families. No additional costs due to the students disability. However families do have to pay for school fees, sports, and school supplies like non-disabled peers.
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Appropriate is that students who qualify for an IEP have services to meet their unique needs. This could also be meeting their needs under section 504.
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Public is meaning that the services would be overseen by the public school which the student resides. (home district)
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Education is focusing on students making progress towards goals and the services that are being provided to the student.
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See the link below for more information on FAPE.
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https://www.understood.org/articles/en/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education