Parents are an integral part of the I.E.P. team and are encouraged to be physically present at the I.E.P. meeting. The district will make every effort to insure parent participation. The district will notify the parent in writing, make documented phone calls, and make home visits, if necessary, to make parents aware of the I.E.P. conference and the need for parental participation. If the parents agree, the program is implemented. If parents disagree with the program being recommended, the issue may be taken to a pre-hearing conference, mediation or a due process hearing.
Parent means that person who is the legal guardian of the student.
A parent may request that the district initiate a screening or evaluation of a child's educationalneeds at any time by contacting the building principal or Director of Special Education. Information about Early Intervention, parent rights, mediation or Due Process Procedures, specific Special Educational Services and programs offered by the district, and the district's Educational Records Policy is available upon request from the school. All students and other persons with disabilities who are involved with the Punxsutawney Area School District are also protected by two other statutes, regardless of whether they are students receiving special education services. Any person desiring to discuss a problem relating to these laws or to register a complaint or grievance under these laws may contact the same person. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability.