Today, federal and state laws protect the civil rights of children and youth with disabilities and entitle them to free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Students with disabilities must be allowed access to public schools, including charter schools. This means access to services as well as access to activities or events that are school related, including those outside of the normal school day. Students with disabilities have a right to reasonable accommodations. Due process - All public schools are obliged to meet their due process obligations, which include elements of parent notification and permission as well as the right to a fair and impartial hearing on matters under dispute.
Parents also have the right to access all of their child's educational records.
Service provision - Charter schools are free to organize themselves in any way that will meet their obligation to the basic requirements of IDEA and Minnesota's law on educating students with disabilities. IEP teams can determine a placement outside of the charter school and should the parent on the team disagree with the other members on placement, they must indicate their disagreement in writing. They may use conciliation, mediation or a due process hearing as means of resolving the dispute. Dispute resolution - Several means are available to resolve special education disputes between parents and schools. Additional team meetings can be scheduled.