New IEP Rights for Parents: Schools Must Now Inform You of Your Right to Invite Experts

The "Empowering Families in Special Education Act" is all about making sure parents are in the driver's seat when it comes to their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The core of the bill? Schools must tell parents that they have the right to bring anyone with "knowledge or expertise" about their child to IEP meetings. Think therapists, specialists, or anyone who really gets your kid's needs.

Your IEP Team, Your Choice

The law, specifically SEC. 2, requires schools to notify parents of this right "within a reasonable time" before the first IEP meeting of every school year. So, what does that mean in practice? Imagine your child sees an occupational therapist outside of school who has made huge strides with them. Under this law, you have the right to bring that therapist to the IEP meeting to advocate for your child and their needs. Or, if you've been working with a specialist who understands your child's unique learning style, they can be at the table, too.

Making it Work

While the bill is straightforward, the "reasonable time" part is key. What's "reasonable" for one school might be different for another. The goal here is to make sure you have enough time to actually find and invite those experts to the meeting. This is something to watch, to ensure that schools are making a real effort to include parents and other experts, and not just sending out a form letter at the last minute.

The Big Picture

This bill builds on existing special education laws by reinforcing a parent's role in the IEP process. The idea is that by having more people who know and understand the child at the table, the IEP will be more effective, and the child will get the support they need. It's about making sure that those who know the child best have a voice in shaping their education.