| Are you the parent of a child with a learning disability | | | | records, and in mostcases does not apply to school |
| or autism whowould like to observe their school | | | | districts. |
| classroom? Have you been told byspecial education | | | | In my opinion, parents do have a right to observe the |
| personnel, that you cannot observe your | | | | currentand proposed placement of their child. This is |
| child'sclassroom? This article will teach you about what | | | | because parentshave a right to "meaningfully" |
| is allowed underlaw, about school observations. By | | | | participate in determining theirchild's IEP and placement. |
| going to your child's classroom andobserving, you can | | | | These rights were up held in 2 courtcases (Honig v. |
| ask for any changes that you believe your childneeds. | | | | Doe 1988, and Burlington School Committee v. |
| This will help your child receive an appropriate | | | | Mass Dept. of Education (1985). Parents have unique |
| education. | | | | knowledgeof their child, and they should be able to |
| School personnel may state that you cannot observe | | | | observe in the classroom. |
| because of thechildren's confidentiality; this is untrue. | | | | If your school district continues to assert, that you have |
| The Supreme Court ruled in | | | | no right toobserve your child's current or proposed |
| Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo (534 US | | | | placement, ask by whatauthority are they stating this. |
| 426 2002) thatconfidentiality of other students can't be | | | | Also ask for proof in writing, ofwhatever authority they |
| used as a reason to denyobservation by a parent. | | | | are using. Take what they send you, and filefor a |
| They established that, students have noexpectation of | | | | formal state complaint. Parents have the right to be an |
| privacy. | | | | "equalparticipant" in their child's education. If you are |
| Special Education personnel may deny you from | | | | prevented fromobserving, then you will be denied your |
| observing your child'splacement because of FERPA | | | | "right" to be an equalparticipant. |
| (the Federal Education Rights and Privacy | | | | Classroom observations are extremely important for |
| Act). FERPA does not prevent observation by parents | | | | parents to do, asoften as they are able. Things can be |
| or theirprofessional representatives. FERPA only | | | | going on that you are not awareof, classroom |
| protects written records. | | | | observations bring these to light. Then you will be |
| If your school district states that parent observations | | | | ableto use the information to fight for educational |
| violate HIPPA,they are incorrect. HIPPA is for medical | | | | changes that your child requires. |