The special education process is a collaboration between families and WCPSS. It is important for parents of children with disabilities to understand their rights throughout this process.
As stated in the Procedural Safeguards: Handbook on Parents’ Rights, Public Schools of North Carolina, Exceptional Children Division, “The IDEA requires schools to provide parents of a child with a disability a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards (legal rights) available under the IDEA and the federal regulations.” Additional information can be found at the US Department of Education’s searchable website at
http://idea.ed.gov/.
Special Education Services believes that collaboration between district staff and parents is the best way to make decisions related to the development of a student's IEP. From time to time, parents may wish to bring a representative to an IEP meeting, such as an advocate or attorney.
Review the district guidelines.