Rights & Roles of the Student:
Parents and schools can prepare students to understand their rights, as follows:
- Students should understand their disability and be able to advocate for themselves.
- Students should understand why they receive special education services.
- Students should receive written and oral notification of meetings.
- Students should be notified of changes in placement with explanations of why those changes occurred. This notification should be in the communication mode best suited for each individual student.
- Students should participate and assist in the IEP meetings.
- Students should receive explanations of the type and purpose of all evaluations.
- Students should be involved in the interpretation of test results.
- Students should be given the opportunity to review their educational records.
- Students should know their rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Students should participate in self-advocacy and self-determination training.
For those students who may be found legally incompetent and unable to make important life decisions, schools should provide parents with the information necessary to establish their child's legal incompetence and begin guardianship proceedings with local district courts.
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition offers more information about this important topic in Age of Majority: Preparing Your Child for Making Good Choices.