Special Education in Alaska. A Guide for Parents.

Overview & Synopsis

This guide to special education is intended for parents of children, ages 3-21, with disabilities in Alaska. After a brief introduction, major chapters address the following specific rights under Alaskan and federal law: (1) the right to a free appropriate public education; (2) the right to evaluations and re-evaluations; (3) the right to an individualized education program; (4) the right to an appropriate school placement; (5) the right to disagree with school officials; (6) the right to special protections in discipline and in behavior programs; (7) the right to a high school diploma; (8) the right to preschool services; and (9) other important special education rights. Provided when appropriate are lists of specific actions parent might take, suggested guidelines, timelines, definitions, and explanations of procedures. Nine appendices include: definitions of exceptionalities, sample letters requesting evaluations and hearings, a list of parent advocacy and support groups, a glossary of special education terms, a legal bibliography of five items, and a list of frequently used acronyms. (DB)