ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN: A PARENTS’ GUIDE

Parents have the right to due process any time they disagree with their child's educational agency about their child's assessment, program, or placement. However, many parents are too intimidated to challenge school district recommendations because they lack an educational background; lack knowledge about how the system works, what occurs at an actual hearing, or how to prepare; cannot afford legal counsel; or are unaware of, or too remote from, legal or advocacy agencies. This article describes how parents may use individualized education program reviews, prehearing conferences, or mediation to resolve parent‐school disputes.