Classroom Observation - A Parental Right

Massachusetts General Law chapter 71B section 3 (which became effective on January 8, 2009) grants parents and parent-designated consultants (such as an educational consultant or neuropsychologist) the right to observe their child's current or proposed program in order to determine if the placement meets the student’s needs. There are three key requirements of the law:

• timely access

• sufficient duration and extent

• no conditions or restrictions except when necessary to protect

  • (1) student safety, (2) program integrity, (3) student confidentiality.

Additional state guidance explaining these requirements can be found here: Observation of Educational Programs by Parents and Their Designees for Evaluation Purposes

If you school district or local educational agency is preventing you from observing your student’s program, contact the Massachusetts attorneys at Noble Education Law.