Unsuccessful attempt to observe proposed placement was not a FAPE violation

SRO 08-097: SRO Paul Kelly held that a school’s refusal to allow a parent to observe the particular classroom identified by the district did not rise to the level of a deprivation of a FAPE.

While encouraging school districts to work with parents and offer opportunities to observe classroom and placement options, OSEP has opined that the IDEA does not entitle parents of children with disabilities to observe their children in any current classroom or proposed educational placement (Letter to Mamas, 42 IDELR 10 [OSEP 2004]; see Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 07-049; Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 07-013).