Special Education Research Portal for Parents

Research Checklist and Quick Links to Authorities

It is helpful as an informed parent or guardian to identify the applicable rules for any education issue as early as possible. This portal has been created to help you, with active links provided whenever possible.

Special Education Laws

IDEA (Federal Statute): 20 U.S.C Section 1400, et seq. INDEX (primarily Part B)

IDEA (Regulations): 34 C.F.R. Section 300.00 et seq. INDEX (Subparts A-H) (Interpreting IDEA in greater detail)

Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Students with Disabilities INDEX (OAC 3301-51)

• Procedural Safeguards (OAC 3301-51-05)

• Jon Peterson Scholarship (OAC 3301-101)

• Autism Scholarship (OAC 3301-103)

USDOE Office of Special Education Programming (OSEP): Archived Policy Letters (Opinions issued by the office, indexed by year and topic, interpreting regulations. Note: Policy Letters are different from Policy Support Documents)

ERIC: Educational Resources Information Center (More research-oriented and for education broadly, but can be useful if you need help finding or applying a rule)

• Additional Special Education Resources:

  • A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education (Ohio, multiple languages)

  • ODE Complaint Findings and Due Process Decisions Database

  • ODE Dispute Resolution (Facilitation/Mediation/Complaint Procedures)

  • ADA and Section 504:

    • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: 34 CFR Part 104

    • Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

    • FAQ on Applicability of Section 504 and the ADA

  • Ohio Student Privacy Law (RC 3319.321)

  • Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (RC 3319.46)

  • Perry Zirkel Publications and Guidance on Special Education Laws

Federal Discrimination Statutes

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, national origin discrimination; 42 USC 2000d)

• Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. §791)

• Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA; 42 U.S.C. § 12101)

• Title IX of the Educational Amendments (sex discrimination; 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq.)

Student Rights Laws Generally

• Ohio Administrative Code (Ohio Regulations) 

  • k12 Regulations INDEX (OAC Chapter 3301)

  • k12 Operating Standards (OAC 3301-35)

  • Ed Choice Scholarship (OAC 3301-11)

  • Private or “Nonpublic” Schools (OAC 3301-39)

  • Community Schools or Charter Schools (OAC 3301-102)

  • Career-Technical Schools (OAC 3301-61-02)

  • Homeschooling (OAC 3301-34)

  • Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Bylaws

• Ohio Revised Code (Ohio Statutes)

  • k12 Laws Affecting Students INDEX (RC Chapter 3319)

    • Suspension/Expulsion Procedures (RC 3313.66)

• Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 

  • Family Education Rights Privacy Act FERPA - INDEX (34 CFR Part 99)

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Additional Special Education Resources for Parents and Guardians

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