Informed Consent
Your right to be fully informed about and agree to any action the school wants to take regarding your child's special education, including evaluations and initial placement. You can withdraw consent at any time.
Federal rule: 34 CFR § 300.300 — Parental consent
Where Informed Consent shows up in your IEP
Consent is a dated, informed signature — on its own form or in a clearly labeled consent block, which may sit on the IEP itself. The form for an initial evaluation should list which assessments will be done and by whom; the form for starting services is a second, distinct signature. Keep dated copies of both, because those dates are what start the timelines that follow.
What to ask at the meeting
- What exactly am I agreeing to here, and which assessments does it cover?
- Does signing this cover services too, or only the evaluation itself?
- What happens next, and when should I expect to hear from you?
Red flags
- A single form is presented as covering both the evaluation and the services after it.
- You are asked to sign a blank or partly completed form during the meeting.
- The assessments listed leave out an area you have already raised concerns about.
Example
Grace was handed a form listing four assessments. Reading, cognition and speech were on it; the occupational therapy screen she had asked about was not. She crossed nothing out and refused nothing — she asked for the fifth to be added before she signed, and the form came back that afternoon with five assessments and a fresh date.
Common questions
Is one signature enough for both the evaluation and services?
No — it takes two. Agreeing to an initial evaluation is expressly not agreement to services, and the district has to come back for separate consent before special education and related services begin. If one form claims to cover both, ask for them to be separated.
Can I say no to part of an evaluation?
You can decline, and you can ask for the scope to change before signing. A useful middle path is to add what you think is missing rather than refuse outright, since a narrow evaluation tends to produce a narrow answer.
What if I change my mind later?
Consent is voluntary and you may revoke it in writing. Revocation works going forward rather than erasing what has already happened, so it is worth asking what your child's day would look like afterward before you send the letter.
Related Terms
Prior Written Notice (PWN)
A written document the school must give you before they make any changes to your child's identification, evaluation, placement, or services. It must explain what they want to do (or refuse to do), why, and what options were considered.
Procedural Safeguards
A set of rights that protect you and your child during the special education process. These include the right to participate in meetings, access records, give or refuse consent, and resolve disagreements. The school must give you a copy of these rights at least once a year.
Ready to put a request in writing?
Write Your First Letter — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.