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Access free resources to help advocate for your child's educational needs, including strategies for collaborating with schools, securing services, and using letter templates. While these resources are designed to assist you, they are not a substitute for legal advice.
Note: Parents are encouraged to consult with a professional attorney for legal guidance.
IEP Toolbox & Tips
Resources on learning disabilities, classroom accommodations, and strategies to support your child’s education.
Learn how technology can enhance communication, learning, and independence at home and in the classroom.
A directory of both attorneys and non-attorney advocates in AZ who specialize in assisting families with special education issues.and securing services for their children for IEPs and 504 Plans.
Templates for requesting evaluations, IEP meetings, records, and more.
This provider list helps parents find psychologists, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists that conduct IEEs when they disagree with school evaluations.
Learn the differences between IEPs and 504 Plans, how they support students with disabilities, and what to expect in the evaluation and accommodation process.
IEP Advocacy Tips
Effective advocacy involves using the right channels to address concerns and meet your child’s needs. Communicate politely, request IEP meetings in writing, understand your rights through Procedural Safeguards, and consider FREE Early Dispute Resolution options like Facilitated IEP (FIEP) or Mediation. Remember, "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar." A respectful approach fosters better outcomes and relationships.
Feeling overwhelmed is normal. If you're unsure, consider asking a knowledgeable friend or
an advocate to join you at meetings.
Prepare an IEP/504 Binder: Print and laminate a copy of your child's accommodations page to keep in their school binder for easy access by both teachers and your child.
Email IEP to Teachers: At the beginning of the school year, send a PDF copy of the IEP to teachers.
Request a Resource Pullout Schedule: Email the special education teacher for your child's pullout times to help reduce anxiety and manage transitions.
Show Appreciation to Teachers: Send thank-you cards or small gifts on Teacher Appreciation Day to build positive relationships.
Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences: Stay involved in your child’s education by attending all conferences.
Use Email for Communication: Email helps document conversations and allows you to think through your responses.
Save Assignments & Work Samples: Collect samples of your child's work to track progress and to share during IEP meetings.
Follow Up After School Calls: Send a brief email thanking the teacher for talking with you and briefly summarizing the phone discussion to help with documenting.
Organize Educational Documents: Keep a digital folder with all important records, such as IEPs, reports, meeting notices, and communication with school staff.
Educational Laws & Parent Rights
Laws are crafted to protect children with disabilities and ensure they receive an education tailored to their unique needs. Understanding your parental rights can help foster effective collaboration with schools and advocating for your child's educational success.
If you are seeking legal advice or have a question, please contact a qualified attorney. CLICK HERE for a list of attorneys.
Learn about AZ FIND, Arizona’s system for identifying and evaluating children with disabilities who may need special education services, including children in homeschool.
Learn about key laws that support students with disabilities, including their rights in education and accommodations.
Explore FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which protects the privacy of student education records and outlines parents' rights.
Review the Procedural Safeguards from the Arizona Department of Education, detailing the rights of students and parents in special education.
Explore the Assistive Technology Act (ATA) resources from the Parent Center Hub, offering information on technology supports for students with disabilities.
Learn about the Handicapped Children's Protection Act, which guarantees educational rights and protections for children with disabilities.
Access the Parent Rights Handbook for Public District Schools in Arizona, outlining the rights and responsibilities of parents in the special education process.
Access the Parent Rights Handbook for Public Charter Schools in Arizona, outlining parental rights and responsibilities in the special education process.
Early Dispute Resolution Options
Early resolution in the context of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) involves addressing concerns and conflicts promptly and informally before they escalate. This proactive approach encourages parents, teachers, and IEP teams to collaboratively find solutions through open dialogue and mutual understanding. Early resolution aims to foster a positive partnership, ensuring that the child's educational needs are met swiftly and effectively.
Facilitated IEP - FIEP
Discover Arizona’s Facilitated IEP process, a voluntary and collaborative approach that helps families and schools work together to create effective special education plans, improving communication and problem-solving.
Mediation
Explore Arizona’s special education mediation process, a voluntary, confidential, and collaborative approach that helps families and schools resolve disputes, improve communication, and reach mutually agreeable solutions regarding IEP services and supports.
Speak at a School Board Meeting
Speak at a School Board Meeting to share concerns, advocate for students, and provide input on education policies. Prepare your comments in advance, as most districts limit speakers to 2–3 minutes. Check your district’s guidelines and meeting schedule online or contact the District Office for details.
Speak at a School Board Meeting to share concerns, advocate for students, and provide input on education policies. Prepare your comments in advance, as most districts limit speakers to 2–3 minutes. Check your district’s guidelines and meeting schedule online or contact the District Office for details.
Educational Complaints
Students, parents, and guardians can file complaints regarding academic concerns, discipline, or staff interactions. Addressing issues early can help resolve them before they escalate.
CAUTION: Complaints should be filed responsibly to report legitimate concerns, such as noncompliance with an IEP or 504 Plan, misconduct, or unlawful actions—not to harm or harass individuals.
State Complaint for Students with an IEP
Anyone can file a signed, written complaint if they believe a public education agency (PEA) has violated a requirement of IDEA 2004. The complaint must include specific facts and address a violation that occurred within the past year, as outlined in 34 C.F.R §§ 300.151-300.153.
FERPA Complaint
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents and eligible students have rights regarding access to and privacy of student education records. If these rights are violated, a complaint can be filed to address issues such as improper disclosure of records, denial of access, or failure to obtain required consent.
Email: FERPA.Complaints@ed.gov
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) Complaint
The PPRA protects students and parents by regulating surveys, analyses, or evaluations conducted by schools receiving U.S. Department of Education funding. If a school violates PPRA by administering surveys without proper consent or failing to inform parents of their rights, a complaint can be filed to address the concern.
Email: PPRA.Complaints@ed.gov
OCR Complaint for Students with a 504 Plan
The OCR ensures equal educational opportunities by enforcing civil rights laws in schools nationwide. Complaints can be filed for discrimination, harassment, or violations of Section 504, such as denial of accommodations. The OCR investigates unfair treatment based on race, color, national origin, gender, disability, and age in public schools.
For tips on how to file a successful OCR complaint, check out the article 14 Tips for Writing a Successful OCR Complaint.
OCR can be reached by phone at 303-844-5695 or by email at OCR.Denver@ed.gov
FOIA Request- Freedom of Information Act
You can submit a FOIA request to access public records, including complaints related to OCR or Section 504 violations at your school. This can help in preparing your own complaint.
Note: Review the rules on the website regarding the use of information. You will need a Login.gov account to create a requester profile and submit FOIA or Privacy Act requests. Before filing, it's recommended to search the FOIA Library for available documents.
Educator Discipline Complaint
If you believe a certified or non-certified educator has engaged in immoral or unprofessional conduct, you can file a complaint with the State Board of Education Teacher Investigative Unit. The Board investigates these complaints, and if a formal complaint is filed, due process is provided. Any resulting sanctions are recorded in the educator's permanent record and reported to a national database.
For certified educators, contact the Teacher Investigative Unit at (602) 542-2972 to file a complaint.
Open Enrollment Complaints - Public Schools
Report violations of Open Enrollment laws, such as school districts failing to prioritize resident students, returning students, or siblings of enrolled students. Other violations include not using an equitable selection process, like a lottery, when capacity is limited or discriminating based on ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, income, disabilities, english proficiency, or athletic ability. If you believe a public school district has violated Open Enrollment laws under A.R.S 15-518 and A.R.S. 15-816.01, please fill out the complaint form.
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