Strategies and Requirements for Obtaining Informed Parental Consent Under the IDEA

This resource explains when informed parental consent is required, what constitutes informed consent, and what efforts a district should take to obtain and document consent — to help administrators, IEP teams, and evaluation teams understand and meet their obligations and parents' expectations.

Plus, real-life cases, examples of common pitfalls, and numerous forms and checklists guide decision-making, along with practical guidance to:

  • Communicate with parents, with language to use and avoid when seeking their consent
  • Identify when a reevaluation may be conducted without consent or a due process hearing
  • Obtain written consent through alternative methods when parents and educators can't meet
  • Recognize situations in which the IDEA does not require consent so activities aren't unnecessarily delayed
  • And more