Parent Information

Topics:

Special Education

This page contains resources for parents and Universal Tier staff. The information is consistent, reliable and available to all families and educators as needed.

Special Education: Child Find Process (775.81 KB) .pdf  - Describes the process used to determine if a child is in need of special education services in Iowa.

Parent Participation in IEP Decision Making (ASK Resource Center)

Planning for Your Child's IEP Meeting:

Positive Student Profile (91.44 KB).pdf (91.44 KB) .pdf - Questions to guide parent input on special education services.

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) Guide and Checklist (ASK Resource Center)

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) Brochure (ASK Resource Center)

Re-Evaluation for Special Education Eligibility (For Individuals Ages 3-21) (ASK Resource Center)

Graduation Requirements: Options for a Student with an IEP (ASK Resource Center) Note: This resource does not have the updated information on the Civics test requirement. See SF 369 Civics Test Requirement for High School Equivalency Diplomas (160.85 KB) .pdf for updated information on the Civics test requirement.

Secondary Transition

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Special Education Terms & Acronyms

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Procedural Safeguards Manual: Rights of Parents of Children with Disabilities Ages Birth to Three

Parents have rights, known as procedural safeguards, which apply to every aspect of the early intervention process, such as evaluation, access to records, and Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) team participation. State and federal laws and regulations outline what needs to happen for eligible infants and toddlers with conditions or developmental delays to enhance their growth and development. The following document serves as your procedural safeguards notice and will help you understand the rights available to you and your child through a federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) Part C and the Iowa Administrative Code for Early ACCESS Integrated System of Early Intervention Services.

The translated versions of the Procedural Safeguards Manual listed below are based on the 2019 edition. The English version was updated in July 2026. The Iowa Department of Education is working to translate the updated manual into additional languages and will post the revised translated versions as they become available.

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Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents Rights for Children Ages 3-21

The Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities explains the specific rights and responsibilities of the parent in the special education process. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEA 2004) requires school districts to give parents the Procedural Safeguards only one time a year, except upon: initial referral or on request for evaluation; the first occurrence of the filing of a due process hearing complaint; or upon request by a parent.

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