One of the most important concepts in special education is parental consent for any relevant activity or placement that the IEP team considers for a child with disabilities. Often I hear parents complain that they feel marginalized in the IEP process and that school team members have already made up their minds. Parents sometimes feel that their consent is really sought to simply rubber stamp what the school has dictated.
Parental consent is the fundamental way that a parent affirms a participatory role in the IEP process. What consent means bears some scrutiny?
· The school must insure that the parent is fully informed before being asked to give consent.
· Full disclosure of information to a parent, must be in their native language.
· Consent must be voluntary and in writing
· A parent may revoke consent in writing
· Parents are not required to consent to all elements of an IEP and may object to specific provisions of the proposed IEP. The IEP team leader should inform the parent of this right.
