Sometimes we, as parents don’t have our child’s complete educational record. Sometimes the school has not given us copies of the records. Prior to an IEP, when consulting with an attorney or advocate, or really at any time, parents can request their child’s educational records. It is an important parental educational right.
California law requires that the district or school produce the records within five business days. (Note this timeline is business days and many other special education timelines are in school days.) Use this link to download a copy of the letter in Word: Letter- Records Request or copy and paste below. As always, contact me with any questions.
[Parent Name]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Name, Administrator of Special Education or Principal]
[Name Unified School District]
[Address[
Re: Request for Records for [Name of Student] (DOB: [date])
To [Special education Administrator or Principal]:
I am parent of [name of student] (“Student”). I am requesting educational records under California Education Code §56504, under the IDEA, 20 U.S.C. §1415(b)(1), and under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), 20 U.S.C. §1232g.
These records should include, but are not limited to, copies of all assessments, IEPs, cumulative, academic, attendance, transportation, disciplinary, mental health/medical, correspondence, notes and emails between faculty and staff regarding Student, all notes taken as part of observations of Student within all settings, copies of all behavior charts and/or raw data regarding Student’s behaviors, and all correspondence from or to the District to outside agencies or schools regarding Student education, services, redacted teacher grade books, etc.
The District can either release these records to me within the statutory business five days to me or send them to the above address. I need copies of these records in order to obtain a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for Student. Please waive all fees associated with duplication of these records, as such fees would prevent us from exercising our parental rights under the IDEA.
If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Very truly yours,
[Your Name]
Parent
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