Resolution to Allow the Recording of IEP Meetings for Students and Parents of Students with Disabilities

To:  Commission on Excellence in Special Education and Congress

RESOLUTION TO ALLOW TAPE RECORDING OF IEP MEETINGS
FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

WHEREAS, to guarantee educational opportunities for students with disabilities Congress has established certain rights and protections for these students and their parents by enacting the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and,

WHEREAS, the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 is silent on the subject of tape recording IEP meetings; and,

WHEREAS, the implementing regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), explicitly state that "an SEA or public agency has the option to require, prohibit, limit, or otherwise regulate the use of recording devices at IEP meetings." (APPENDIX A TO PART 300—NOTICE OF INTERPRETATION, Question 21); and,

WHEREAS, many school boards have now implemented policies which prohibit tape recordings of IEP meetings; and

WHEREAS, these policies are not consistently applied; and

WHEREAS, these policies limit the ability of both the parent and the student to have a full and verbatim record of IEP team discussion; and

WHEREAS, these policies are limiting the full participation of both students and parents of children with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, these policies have increased animosity and distrust between students/parents and school personnel; and

WHEREAS, the application of these policies serves to reduce the educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the signers of this petition call upon the Commission on Excellence in Special Education to recommend, and upon Congress to pass, legislation which clearly gives students and parents of children with disabilities, upon reasonable notice to their school district, the unrestricted ability to use a recording device at an IEP meeting with school personnel.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Resolution to Allow the Recording of IEP Meetings for Students and Parents of Students with Disabilities Petition to Commission on Excellence in Special Education and Congress was created by Students and Parents of Children with Disabilities and written by Edmund H. Unterreiner, III.  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no express or implied endorsement of this petition by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. The petition scripts are created by Mike Wheeler at Artifice, Inc.  For Technical Support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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