Revisions to the Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE) Booklet
| On July 1, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Office of Special Education (OSE) issued a memorandum to advise all stakeholders of revisions to the Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE) booklet and associated state-level special education documents. These updates are being implemented to ensure that the PRISE document, which serves as the state’s official notice of procedural safeguards, is consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B requirements and provide clarity for families and LEAs regarding their rights and responsibilities. |
| The revisions to the PRISE document include: – provide clarification on the initiation of an action proposed by a school district following the provision of written notice (page 3). – address emergent relief (pages 21-22) – settlement agreements (page 24) as part of due process requests.This updated version of the PRISE will supersede all previous editions and must be the primary document provided to parents as required under 34 C.F.R. § 300.504. The NJDOE has also updated the Annotated Sample Written Notice on its website. This resource now provides an expanded explanation of N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.3(h)(2) and (3), specifically regarding a parent’s rights when they disagree with an LEA’s proposal. The revisions ensure parents are fully informed of their available protections under IDEA Part B whenever an LEA proposes to initiate or change a student’s identification, evaluation, placement, or the provision of a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). |