Education Law - Self-Help Resources

Legal Information

Other Self-Help Problems

Self-Help forms and Online Resources relating to Education Law issues.

Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.

Federal Court Finder

Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.

Mediation (Special Education)

Even when parents and school officials try their best to reach agreement on a student’s special education program, disagreements can occur. If this happens, mediation, which is a free, voluntary, and confidential alternative to a formal due process hearing, is an option. Mediation can take place at any time before or during the due process cycle. Mediation is not a required process and may not delay or deny a parent the right to a due process hearing. Information on the Mediation process from the Office of Dispute Resolution (Special Education).

Sample Letter for Requesting an Independent Evaluation of Your Child

This sample letter is from Appendix 4 of "The Right to Special Education in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Parents and Advocates" handbook from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania. This sample letter shows you what to include in your request for an Independent Educational Evaluation of your child. [PDF]

Sample Letter Requesting an Initial Special Education Evaluation

This sample letter is from Appendix 2 of "The Right to Special Education in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Parents and Advocates" handbook from the Education Law Center-Pennsylvania. This sample letter shows you what to include in a request for an evaluation. [PDF]

Sample Letter Requesting a Re-Evaluation

This sample letter is from Appendix 3 of "The Right to Special Education in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Parents and Advocates" handbook from the Education Law Center-Pennsylvania. This sample letter showing you what to include in a request for re-evaluation of your child. [PDF]

Sample Sworn Statement and Residency Affidavit, 24 P.S. §13-1302 [PDF]

If a child is living with you and you are not with their parent, they have the right to attend school where you live if certain conditions are met. Use this form to determine whether the child living with you is eligible to enroll in school where you reside. This form is an affidavit (sworn statement), which means that you are certifying that all information you put on the form is correct. NOTE: You can face legal penalties if you knowingly complete this form using false information to enroll a child into school.

School Success for Students Without Homes - A Toolkit for Parents and Providers

The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this collection of “tools” to help parents and providers ensure school success for children and youth (ages 3-21) in Pennsylvania who are experiencing homelessness. The toolkit provides information about important laws and explains legal rights and how to use them. (2011)

Special Education Due Process Complaint Process and Forms

Information on the complaint process, including the Complaint Form, which is used to submit a formal complaint to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. Office for Dispute Resolution (Special Education).

Mediation (Special Education)

Even when parents and school officials try their best to reach agreement on a student’s special education program, disagreements can occur. If this happens, mediation, which is a free, voluntary, and confidential alternative to a formal due process hearing, is an option. Mediation can take place at any time before or during the due process cycle. Mediation is not a required process and may not delay or deny a parent the right to a due process hearing. Information on the Mediation process from the Office of Dispute Resolution (Special Education).

Special Education Due Process Complaint Process and Forms

Information on the complaint process, including the Complaint Form, which is used to submit a formal complaint to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. Office for Dispute Resolution (Special Education).

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