Which requires written consent to provide services?

Which requires written consent to provide services?

• A. IDEA
• B. Section 504
• C. Both IDEA and 504
• D. Neither

Answer: (A)

Written consent is the key idea. Under IDEA, a school must obtain informed, written parental consent before starting an initial evaluation to determine eligibility and before providing initial special education and related services. Without that consent, the services can’t start under IDEA. Section 504 doesn’t require written parental consent to begin providing accommodations or services once a disability is identified and the school has given the required safeguards and notices. So the requirement for written consent to provide services belongs to IDEA, not 504.

Written consent is the key idea. Under IDEA, a school must obtain informed, written parental consent before starting an initial evaluation to determine eligibility and before providing initial special education and related services. Without that consent, the services can’t start under IDEA. Section 504 doesn’t require written parental consent to begin providing accommodations or services once a disability is identified and the school has given the required safeguards and notices. So the requirement for written consent to provide services belongs to IDEA, not 504.