Parent Guide to Special Education - A Companion to the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook

Oct 15, 2026

Parent Guide to Special Education provides a structured, parent-friendly overview of Kansas special education requirements. It explains how federal law and Kansas state rules shape rights and responsibilities, using a question-and-answer format with brief answers and cross-references to the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook. The guide emphasizes key concepts such as IDEA, FAPE, exceptionalities including gifted, IEP provisions and transition services, parent consent for significant service or placement changes, and dispute or due-process procedures, supporting informed next steps and access to supports.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages45

Reading Time1 h 53 min

AccessFree to download

An Introduction to Special Education

Chapter 1 : Parent Rights in Special Education

Chapter 2: Child Find

Chapter 3: Evaluation

Chapter 4: The Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Chapter 5: Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Chapter 6: School Discipline

Chapter 7: Resolving Disagreements (or Dispute Resolution)

Chapter 8: Miscellaneous

Parent Guide to Special Education A COMPANION TO THE KANSAS SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS HANDBOOK Kansas leads the world in the success of each student. Kansas State Department of [Education |](Education | www.ksde.org)[ www.ksde.org](Education | www.ksde.org) PARENT GUIDE TO SPECIAL EDUCATION Welcome! This guide is meant to help parents, schools, and community members use the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook 1 . The parent guide to the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook was written by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) . It is a start for learning about special education requirements. How the parent guide is structured: Q. The frequently asked question will be in bold. Use the link to the page in the process handbook if you want more information on that topic. A short answer to the question. It is recommended to use this guide side-by-side with the Process Handbook. If after, or during, review of this parent guide, use of the process handbook, it may be good to talk to someone about a specific situation or to decide next steps. Contact information for supports is located on Page 2 of this parent guide. 1 [https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/SES/PH/PH-complete.pdf\#page=56](https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/SES/PH/PH-complete.pdf#page=56)[ ](https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/SES/PH/PH-complete.pdf#page=56)Kansas State Department of [Education |](Education | www.ksde.org)[ www.ksde.org](Education | www.ksde.org) This page blank for printing purposes. Kansas State Department of [Education |](Education | www.ksde.org)[ www.ksde.org](Education | www.ksde.org) PARENT GUIDE TO SPECIAL EDUCATION Contents An Introduction to Special Education................................................................ 1 Chapter 1 : Parent Rights in Special Education................................................. 5 Chapter 2: Child Find ........................................................................................... 8 Chapter 3: Evaluation ........................................................................................10 Chapter 4: The Individualized Education Program (IEP) ...............................20 Chapter 5: Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) .............26 Chapter 6: School Discipline .............................................................................30 Chapter 7: Resolving Disagreements (or Dispute Resolution) ....................34 Chapter 8: Miscellaneous..................................................................................36 Kansas State Department of [Education |](Education | www.ksde.org)[ www.ksde.org](Education | www.ksde.org) This page for printing purposes. Kansas State Department of [Education |](Education | www.ksde.org)[ www.ksde.org](Education | www.ksde.org) PARENT GUIDE TO SPECIAL EDUCATION An Introduction to Special Education Q. What is the federal law about special education? Chapter 1, Introduction 2 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities and defines most of a child’s rights to special education. Q. Does Kansas have any laws about special education? Page iii, State Imposed Rules, Regulations, and Policies in Kansas Not Required by IDEA 2004 or Federal Regulations 3 Kansas does have some state-imposed rules, regulations, and policies that apply only in Kansas. They are not required by IDEA. These include: • The categories of exceptionalities include the category of “gifted.” • Exceptional children attending private schools are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education through an IEP, upon request. • A school district must get written consent from a parent before making a change of 25% or more of a special education service. A school district must also get written consent from a parent before making a change to a more restrictive or less restrictive educational envir

FAQs

What federal law governs special education and what does it provide?

IDEA ensures a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities and defines most of a child’s rights to special education.

Does Kansas have additional special education laws beyond IDEA?

Yes. Kansas has state-imposed rules, regulations, and policies that apply only in Kansas and are not required by IDEA, including requirements related to exceptions, consent, IEP transition goals, and complaint or hearing procedures.

How does the guide recommend using the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook?

Use this parent guide side-by-side with the Process Handbook, and refer to the linked pages in the handbook for more information on each topic.

Oct 15, 2026

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