Parent Rights

Parent Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education: NC Notice of Procedural Safeguards

The IDEA requires schools to provide parents of a student with a disability notice containing a full explanation of the Procedural Safeguards (legal rights) available under the IDEA and the accompanying federal regulations. It is critical for parents to understand both their rights and responsibilities in the special education process.

Age 18 is the age of majority in the State of North Carolina and the right to make educational decisions and procedural safeguards transfer to the student at this time. Unless a guardian has been appointed to represent the student, the student represents him or herself. (See Policies, Transfer of Parental Rights at Age of Majority, NC 1504-1.21)

The numbers listed after each heading in this document refer to the sections for the legal citations in the federal regulations and the North Carolina Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities (Policies) where you can find the information. (Examples: 34 CFR §300.300 (Federal) and NC 1504-1.13 (Policies))