MSAD 71 Special Education
SECTION 504
Parents/Students Rights

NOTICE

PARENT/STUDENT RIGHTS

(Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)

The following is a description of the rights granted by the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) to students identified as disabled under that law.  The intent of the law is to keep you fully informed concerning decisions about your child and to inform you of your rights if you disagree with any of these decisions.

You have the right to:

1.   Have your child take part in, and receive benefits from public education programs without discrimination because of his/her disability;

2.   Have the school district advise you of your rights under federal law;

3.   Receive notice from the school with respect to identification, evaluation, educational program or placement of your child or the filing of a due process hearing;

4.   Receive all information in the parent's/guardian's native language and primary mode of communication;

5.   Have your child receive a free appropriate public education.  This includes the right to be educated with non-handicapped students to the maximum extent appropriate.  It also includes the right to have the school district make reasonable accommodations necessary for your child to benefit from his or her educational program.

6.   Have your child educated in comparable facilities and receive comparable services to those provided non-disabled students;

7.   Have your child receive special education and related services if your child is found to be eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act;

8.   Have evaluation, educational, and placement decisions based upon a variety of information sources, and made by persons familiar with the student, the evaluation data, and placement options;

9.   Have re-evaluations of your child, to the extent needed, when deciding upon significant changes in your child's educational program.

10.  Have your child receive an equal opportunity to participate in extra-curricular school activities.

11.  Examine all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child's identification, evaluation, educational program and placement.

12.  Obtain copies of educational records at a reasonable cost unless the fee would effectively deny you access to the records;

13.  A response from the school district to reasonable request for explanations and interpretations of your child's records;

14.  Request amendment of your child's educational records if there is reasonable cause to believe that they are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of your child.  If the school district refuses this request for amendment, it shall notify you within a reasonable time, and advise you of the right to a hearing.

15.  File a grievance through local grievance procedures, file a complaint with the federal Office for Civil Rights, or request an impartial hearing on decisions or actions regarding your child's identification, evaluation, educational program or placement.  You and the student may take part in the hearing and have an attorney represent you.  Questions about how to request a hearing may be forwarded to the Director of Special Education.

16.  Have the decisions made by hearing officers or others reviewed in state or federal court;

17.  Information concerning low-cost or free legal counsel.  The person in this district who is responsible for assuring that the district complies with Section 504 is:

Susan M. Mulsow

   Telephone number:  985-1100

This notice is available in large print and on audio tape from the ADA/504 compliance coordinator.
Home