"For the sakes of our children, we must strive to be patient with those whose experiences have not given them access to our perspective. It is our duty to lead these people to a fuller understanding of the beauty and ability within our children. To do this, we must become effective advocates." - Jennifer L. Bollero, Esq.
IDEA - Individuals with disabilities Education Act The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that grants children with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education. Download the statute: Microsoft Word Version or Link to on Line EdLaw
IDEA Federal regulations IDEA Regulations are written by the United States Department of Education and adopted by Congress to implement IDEA.
State Rules and Regulations Tennessee Publications Division (Rules & Regulations):
Tennessee Department of Education, Division of Special Education http://www.state.tn.us/education/speced/index.htm
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights statute prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in federally-funded activities.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of a studentŐs education records. It also gives parents the right to inspect and review all of the studentŐs education records. Also try www.ed.gov/offices/OM/ferpa. and www.fetaweb.com/04/ferpa.summary
No Child Left Behind establishes standards for holding schools accountable for educating all children. When schools fail to meet these standards, safeguards are implemented that allow parents greater choice in what school their child attends and provide additional programs for students. http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/index.html
McKinney Act protects homeless children from barriers to enrolling in public schools.
Derailed: The Schoolhouse
to Jailhouse Track" Advancement Project J. Browne a first-of-its-kind
report that looks at how zero tolerence polices are derailing students from
an academic track in schools to a future in the juvenile justice system.
http://www.advancementproject.org/Derailedtxt.pdf
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.
National Council
on Disabilities Back to School on Civil Rights: Advancing the Federal
Commitment to Leave No Child Behind - Executive Summary -
Abridged Report ( 9 Pages)
Unabridged Report
( 50 Pages)
Tennessee Department of Special Education Administrative Complaint (download form)
Federal Complaints and procedures
Important Advocate Links (click here)
Important Phone Numbers
Legal Aid offices in Tennessee
Chattanooga 800-572-7457
Columbia 931-381-5533
Jackson 800-372-8346
Johnson City 800-821-1312
Knoxville 865-637-0484
Memphis 901-523-8822
Nashville 615-244-6610
Oak Ridge 865-483-8454
TennCare Consumer Advocacy Line 1-800-722-7474
Tennessee Protection and Advocacy 1-800-287-9636
RISE Project 901-678-4932 LRE for LIFE 865-974-2760
Disability Resource Center 865-637-3666
East Tennessee Technology Access Center 865-219-0130
Council on Developmental Disabilities 615-532-6556
Brain Resource and Information Network 865-689-1797
The Arc of Washington County 423-928-9362
Tennessee Early Intervention Services 423-434-4401
East Tennessee Regional Resource Center 423-594-5691
Center for Law and Education 202-986-3000
National Center for Youth Law 510-835-8098
IPP (Elizabethton, TN Support Group) 423-547-0517
Office of Civil Rights 404-562-6350
Project TEACH, PEP 423-979-3200
Tennessee Disability Coalition 615-383-9442
Parent Resource & Information
Sample Special Educationl Request Letters
Need Help With Special Education Lingo? Click here for a list of acronyms.
Resources for Families
From a listing of agencies in your state to modules on IEP meetings and much, much more, parents of children who have low-incidence disabilities will find the information, training or assistance they need in the following resources. www.nclid.unco.edu/families.html
STEP web site: http://www.tnstep.org
DOWNLOAD
Tennessee procedural safegard forms:
Mediation Request:
Microsoft Word version
PDF version
Due Process Hearing:
Microsoft Word version
PDF version
Administrative Complaint:
Microsoft Word version
PDF version
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