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House requires earlier notice, copies of evaluations for IEP meetings; psychologists warn of potential harm
Summary
The House passed a bill codifying board rules that require school districts to send parents notice at least 10 days before IEP meetings and provide copies of draft IEPs at least 48 hours before the meeting; debate focused on whether sending psychological evaluations ahead of meetings could alarm parents.
The Tennessee House approved House Bill 861 to codify existing state board of education rules about notification and document sharing for individualized education program (IEP) meetings.
Representative Nathan McCallman, sponsor, said the bill "codify[es] the current state board of education rule rules requiring an LEA to give notice of parents or guardians at least 10 days before an IEP hearing and provide a copy of the draft IEP at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting." He added the bill requires local education agencies to provide parents with copies of evaluations and assessments used to develop the IEP.
Representative Lisa Johnson warned the House that sending full psychological evaluations to parents before a meeting can be traumatic, particularly for initial evaluations. "Those initial evaluations can be traumatizing for parents," Johnson said, and she urged caution about mailing sensitive evaluations without a professional present to explain findings. Johnson and several school psychologists told committee members that some parents may react with shock and anger if they receive raw evaluation reports without an accompanying explanation.
McCallman said the measure is intended to give parents time to read reports and prepare questions in advance of the meeting. "It's simply to equip our parents, give our parents a tool before they go into that meeting," he said on the floor.
Representative Slater noted nothing in the bill prohibits an LEA or school psychologist from sending a cover letter or brief summary to help parents understand evaluation results before the meeting. McCallman encouraged LEAs to include summaries or guidance when sending documents.
The bill passed final consideration; the chair announced the bill had received the constitutional majority and declared it passed.
