Northstar Disability Advocacy & Navigation

Resources

Know Your Rights. Know the Process.

Special education law is complex — but understanding the basics changes everything. These guides are written for parents, not lawyers.

01

Understanding the IEP

What an Individualized Education Program actually is, what it must contain by law, and what to do when yours isn't working.

  • An IEP is a legally binding document — not a suggestion
  • It must include present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, and a description of services
  • You have the right to request an IEP meeting at any time
  • You must receive a copy of the IEP and any prior written notice
  • You can disagree with the IEP and still have your child receive services while the dispute is resolved
02

Your Rights Under IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guarantees specific rights to families. Most parents never learn all of them.

  • Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) — your child is entitled to an education designed to meet their unique needs at no cost
  • Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) — your child must be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate
  • Procedural safeguards — you must be notified before the district takes any action affecting your child's placement or services
  • Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) — if you disagree with the district's evaluation, you can request one at public expense
  • Prior Written Notice — the district must explain in writing why it is proposing or refusing any change to your child's program
03

When to Escalate

Not every disagreement requires formal action — but some do. Here's how to know the difference and what your options are.

  • Start by documenting everything: emails, meeting notes, evaluations, and any verbal commitments
  • Request all communications in writing — districts are required to respond to written requests
  • If informal resolution fails, you have three formal options: mediation, state complaint, or due process
  • Mediation is faster and less adversarial — but the district must agree to participate
  • A state complaint is filed with your state education agency and must be resolved within 60 days
  • Due process is the most formal pathway — it results in a binding decision from an impartial hearing officer
04

Reading an Evaluation

Psychoeducational and other educational evaluations are the foundation of your child's IEP. Understanding them is essential.

  • Evaluations must assess all areas of suspected disability — not just the ones the district chooses
  • Scores alone don't tell the full story — look at the qualitative observations and functional impact sections
  • A low score in one area doesn't automatically qualify a child for services; eligibility requires both a disability and an educational impact
  • If you believe the evaluation is incomplete or inaccurate, you have the right to request an IEE at public expense
  • Private evaluations can be submitted for the IEP team's consideration — the district must consider them, though it is not required to adopt their recommendations

Frequently asked questions

Questions we hear from families every week.

Have a question that isn't answered here?

Every case is different. A free consultation is the best way to get answers specific to your child's situation.