Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc.

Why Is It Important To Develop and Maintain A Home File

A home file is the parent’s copy of their child’s school and medical records. Developing and maintaining a home file is a vital responsibility of every parent of a child receiving special education services. In order for parents to take an active role in the decision making process affecting their child’s education, they must keep an accurate, up-to-date home file, and a variety of resource materials to help them to be active and effective participants in the IEP process.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires school districts to maintain education records of students receiving special education services. The information contained in the child’s education files should act as the basis for the development of each child’s Individual Education Program (IEP).

What Should Be In My Home File

• Copy of initial diagnosis records
• Hospital and pediatric records that relate to your child’s disability
• Relevant school records
• Any correspondence that you have sent or received regarding your child’s education or related services
• A copy of your child’s assessments, both academic and psychological
• Your child’s Individual Education Programs, past & present
• A diary or log of notes that reflect phone conversations or other verbal communications, especially with school personnel regarding your child
• Samples of your child’s work
• Report cards
• Medical or therapy records that are pertinent to your child’s educational progress
• A copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice, which covers federal and state regulations and procedures which pertain to special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and which should be provided by your school
• A copy of your school district’s policies. (You can obtain this by contacting your school district’s administrative office or your school office)
• Also helpful would be a copy of the Idaho Special Education Manual which defines the State’s policies for putting IDEA into practice

Who Has The Right To See My Records?

The Buckley Amendment, also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), gives all parents of students under 18 years of age the right to see, correct, and control access to the student’s records. The school district must provide parents access to all of their child’s education files, which may be kept in several different places.

A "record" is defined as personally identifiable information directly related to the student and maintained by the district. A student record may be written or electronic.

What If I Disagree With Some Of The Contents Of My Child's School Records?

If you think some of the information in the record/file is misleading, inaccurate, or in violation of your child’s rights, notify your district in writing of your objections and request that the information be removed. Within 45 days, the District will notify you that they either agree or refuse to remove the information. If the district refuses to remove the information, there are two courses of action you can take:

1. 1. You can place a statement in the file which explains why you find the information misleading, inaccurate, or in violation of your child’s rights; or
2. You can request, through the Idaho State Department of Education, a hearing with a hearing officer to show why the information should be removed. Your school district will also present evidence as to why it is necessary to keep the information in the file.

If the hearing officer decides that the information is misleading, inaccurate, or in violation of the law, the school district will remove the information and inform you. If the hearing officer finds that the information is not misleading, inaccurate, or in violation of the law, the school district will notify you that the information will remain in the file and that you can place a statement in the file explaining your objections.