Must Parents or Guardians Give Consent Prior to Initial Evaluations and Initial Placements Under Section 504?
Yes. Under Section 504, a district must obtain parent or guardian consent in two circumstances: Before a child’s initial evaluation (the first time a child is evaluated by any district) and before a child’s initial placement (the first time a child is placed on a Section 504 Plan in any district). A district must notify a parent or guardian, but need not obtain consent, before it re-evaluates or significantly changes a student’s placement.
