There are many reasons a parent may decide to revoke consent for their child’s special education services. What do you do or say when a parent approaches you? What is the process?’
1. Encourage the parent to speak with the case manager or principal regarding their concerns and wishes. Perhaps there was a breakdown in communication that can be resolved to ensure the student continues receiving needed services.
2. Case manager will print the “Revocation of Consent for Special Services” form from the Filemaker Sped Launcher Database.
3. Case manager and/or principal will review the bulleted points on the form, ensuring the parent understands the full picture of his/her decision. Ask parent to think on it a couple of days, and if age appropriate, to speak to the child about the decision.
4. Obtain parental signature on the form. Provide copies to parent, school file, and original to district office file. Provide the parent with Prior Written Notice (PWN). See sample revocation PWNs here and here.
Schools are encouraged to talk with their parents about the pros and cons of revoking consent for provision of special education services. Holding an IEP team meeting would allow parents to voice concerns and allow the school team an opportunity to respond to the request for revocation. At any point in the process, the school or the parent can contact the school’s Pupil Services Program Coordinator for assistance and/or more information.