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Self-Advocacy Tool: Due Process Complaint Form (Request for Hearing to Resolve Special Education Disputes)

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Parents who disagree with special education decisions can pursue a dispute resolution process called a Due Process Hearing. This is an official hearing that families can attend on their own, or with an attorney of their choice, to address special education disagreements such as whether a school is following a child’s IEP or special education laws, whether a child’s current IEP is appropriate and meets a child’s needs in the least restrictive environment, or whether a child is being discriminated on the basis of their recognized disabilities.

NOTE: Other than challenges to an initial evaluation, a request to dispute a proposed change in a child’s IEP or special education placement must be submitted within 10 days or it is deemed waived.

Online Form: You are able to submit an online request directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) using this form.

PDF Form: You can also make your request by completing this PDF form (download via button below) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Dispute Resolution. If you use the PDF form to request a Due Process Hearing, you should attach this Request for Due Process to the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP) given to you by your child’s school when you return it in addition to checking the Due Process Hearing Box on your child’s NOREP. If you were not given a NOREP, send a copy of the Complaint Letter to the Principal and Special Education Director your child’s school. You must submit the tool to both your child’s school and Pennsylvania’s Office for Dispute Resolution by mail, fax, or email at: 6340 Flank Drive, Suite 600, Harrisburg, PA 17112-2764. ODR’s fax number is 717-657-5983, and the e-mail address [email protected].

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