Form Letter: Asking for Your Child's Special Education Record

About this form letter

You may use this letter to ask for your child’s special education records from their school district. You can do this by explaining how law allows you, as the parent, to ask for this record and what you’re entitled to get.

How to use this form letter

You can type your information into this form letter using your computer and print it out. If you don’t have a computer or can’t use one, you can print the form letter out and fill it in by hand.

The time limit for special education records requests is 45 days. (See 34 C.F.R. § 300.613(a)). You can remind the school district of this timeline and ask for a reply within that time.

Once you have filled out the letter, you can mail it, email it, or drop it off at your child’s school. Keep a copy of the letter for yourself. You can write down when you sent your letter and when you are expecting a reply.

This form letter shows what can be in your letter to the school. It is not legal advice. For legal advice specific to your or your child’s situation, please talk with an attorney.

[Date]

Re: Records Request for my child [Child's Name], DOB: [Date of birth]

To my child’s school Principal, [Principal's Name]:

I am writing as the parent and educational rights holder of [Child's Name] to ask that you give me copies of all educational records for my child from all school locations attended in the district, including (circle what you are asking for):

All evaluations for special ed and regular education (like psychological, speech, OT, etc.)

All special education records (like Individualized Education Programs/IEPs)

All health records

All disciplinary records (including manifestation determinations)

All standardized testing scores and reports

All report cards

All attendance and enrollment records

All correspondence about my child (like inter-office notes, emails, letters, etc.) that the district has collected, maintained, or used

Other records the district has collected, maintained, or used: [describe any other records you are asking for]

Please note that no Authorization or Release form is required for this request since I am the parent; see 34 C.F.R. § 300.613(c), which says that agencies can presume that parents have the authority to inspect and review their child’s records unless they know the parent doesn’t have this authority under a different law (like guardianship or divorce).

I respectfully ask that the records be (mailed / emailed) so I get them by the end of the business day on [date], 45 days from now, according to federal law. (34 C.F.R. § 300.613(a)). If the district denies or delays my request, please tell me about the reasons for the delay or denial.

Thank you for your time and help with this.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]