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Parent Rights Under IDEA and Section 504: A Quick Guide for Parents

  • allison1441
  • Aug 20
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 28

When you know your rights, you can advocate with confidence. This one-page guide explains your essential protections under IDEA and Section 504—in plain English—so you can use them during IEP or 504 meetings.



As a parent, you have powerful rights that protect your child’s access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Here’s a mini one-pager you can keep handy for IEP and 504 meetings:

Right to Request Evaluations: You can request, in writing, an evaluation if you suspect your child has a disability.

Right to Informed Consent: The school must obtain your consent before conducting evaluations or starting services.

Right to Participate: You are an equal member of your child’s IEP or 504 team and must be invited to meetings.

Right to Access Records: You may review your child’s educational records at any time.

Right to Written Notice: The school must provide Prior Written Notice (PWN) explaining decisions about identification, evaluation, or placement.

Right to Independent Educational Evaluation: You can ask for an IEE at public expense (the school pays for it) when:- The school has already done its own evaluation, and- You disagree with the results (you feel it’s incomplete, inaccurate, or doesn’t reflect your child’s needs).

Right to Accommodations: Under Section 504, your child is entitled to accommodations that give equal access to learning.

Right to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): Both IDEA and 504 guarantee your child the right to an education designed to meet their unique needs at no cost to you.

Right to Dispute Decisions: You can use mediation, due process, or file a complaint if you disagree with the school’s decisions.


Tip: Keep this sheet in your advocacy binder for quick reference during meetings.


How to use this one-pager (30 seconds)


Print it and keep it in your IEP/504 binder.


Reference it when you receive documents close to a meeting or decisions without PWN.


If you’re unsure, ask the team to explain rights in writing.


Related tools & guides (internal links)


Helpful add-ons (free tools)



Next Steps and Resources:

The following websites are incredibly helpful when navigating the Special Education world. · www.wrightslaw.com


Need help personalizing your letter or planning next steps? I offer one-on-one support—virtual anywhere in the U.S. and in-person across NY/NJ. Work with me.


About the Author

Allison Rosenberg Meyerson is a special education advocate with 30+ years in the classroom and as a literacy specialist. She is Orton-Gillingham Certified, a COPAA SEAT 1.0 graduate, and a Dyslexia Advocate. Based in Warwick, NY, she supports families across NY, NJ, and virtually nationwide through The IDEA Ally.


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