What if a parent doesn't provide consent for evaluation or for services?

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If a parent does not provide their consent for an evaluation, the local education agency (LEA) does have the authority to use the due process procedures to seek an order from a hearing officer requiring an evaluation. LEAs should use this authority sparingly. If a parent does not provide their consent for the provision of services, no special education or related services may be provided. The right of a parent to decide what educational services their child receives cannot be overturned using IDEA's due process procedures. If a parent indicates that they will refuse both consent for evaluations and consent for services, nothing in IDEA requires that an LEA use the due process procedures to proceed through the evaluation phase. Source: IDEA Guide to Frequently Asked Questions.
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