Education Topics

Plain-language guides on education rights — from IEPs and 504 Plans to suspension, parent rights, and dispute resolution. Each topic explains your rights, the school's responsibilities, and what you can do.

Special Ed

IEP (Individualized Education Program)

An IEP is a legally binding document that outlines the special education services, supports, and goals for a student with a disability. It is developed by a team that includes parents, educators, and specialists.

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Special Ed

504 Plan

A 504 Plan is a written plan that provides accommodations and supports for students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education under IDEA but need adjustments to access their education equally.

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Special Ed

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

FAPE is the foundational right of every student with a disability to receive special education and related services at no cost to the family, designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.

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Special Ed

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Removal from general education should only occur when the nature or severity of the disability makes it impossible to achieve satisfactory results even with supplementary aids and services.

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Special Ed

Special Education Eligibility

To receive special education services under IDEA, a student must have one of 13 recognized disability categories AND the disability must adversely affect educational performance, requiring specially designed instruction.

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Special Ed

Special Education Evaluation

A special education evaluation is a comprehensive assessment to determine whether a student has a disability and needs specially designed instruction. It must be conducted by qualified professionals and cover all areas of suspected disability.

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General Ed

Parent Rights in Special Education

Parents are essential partners in their child's education. Federal and California law guarantee parents extensive rights throughout the special education process — from evaluation through placement, IEP development, and dispute resolution.

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General Ed

Suspension & Expulsion

Students with disabilities have special protections when facing suspension or expulsion. Schools must conduct a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) before imposing long-term discipline to determine whether the behavior was caused by the student's disability.

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California

Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects reading. California law requires schools to screen students for dyslexia and provide evidence-based interventions. Students with dyslexia may be eligible for special education under the Specific Learning Disability category or for a 504 Plan.

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Special Ed

Disputes & Conflict Resolution

When parents and schools disagree about a student's education, federal and California law provide several options for resolving disputes — from informal resolution to formal legal proceedings.

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Special Ed

Transition Planning (Ages 14–22)

Transition planning prepares students with disabilities for life after high school — including college, vocational training, employment, and independent living. It must begin by age 16 under federal law and age 14 in California.

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Special Ed

Child Find

Child Find is the legal obligation of every school district to actively identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities — including those in private schools, charter schools, and homeschool settings — who may need special education services.

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