NC 1504-1.2 Opportunity to Examine Records; Parent Participation in Meetings

Plain English summary

This regulation establishes rights for parents of children with disabilities to inspect educational records and participate in meetings and placement decisions made by LEAs. Parents must be given notice of meetings and included as members of any group making educational placement decisions. If parental participation is not possible, LEAs must use alternative methods such as phone or video conferencing, and must document their attempts to obtain participation.

Key requirements

• The parent of a child with a disability must be afforded an opportunity to inspect and review all education records with respect to the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of the child, and the provision of FAPE to the child.
• Each LEA must provide notice consistent with NC 1503-4.3(a)(1) and (b)(1) to ensure that parents of children with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in meetings.
• Each LEA must ensure that a parent of each child with a disability is a member of any group that makes decisions on the educational placement of the parent's child.
• If neither parent can participate in a meeting in which a decision is to be made relating to the educational placement of their child, the LEA must use other methods to ensure their participation, including individual or conference telephone calls, or video conferencing.
• A placement decision may be made by a group without the involvement of a parent, if the LEA is unable to obtain the parent's participation in the decision. In this case, the LEA must have a record of its attempt to ensure their involvement.

Affected parties

• parents of children with disabilities
• local education agencies (LEAs)
• children with disabilities
• LEA personnel

Official source

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/documents/publications/catalog/ec144-policies-governing-services/open#page=83