#72 When 'Just Trust Us' Isn't Enough: The Prior Written Notice No One Explains to You
Have you ever left an IEP meeting feeling stuck? Maybe you asked for a specific service or accommodation, and the team said no? Or worse, they gave you a vague "let’s table that for now?” You’re often left feeling like the conversation is over, but I’m here to tell you that’s actually not how the law works.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on Prior Written Notice (PWN), the most powerful tool in your advocacy toolkit that nobody tells you about. We’re moving past the "just trust us" culture of school meetings and diving into why this legal requirement is your best defense against vague explanations and stalled progress.
Whether you are currently facing a denial of services or just want to be prepared for your next meeting, I want to provide the strategic roadmap you need to turn a "no" into a documented trail of accountability. So grab your coffee and your notebook, because it’s time to move from "I didn't know that existed" to "I know exactly what to do with this."
Would you like to understand reports, ask the right questions, and get schools to take you seriously? Together Through Dyslexia 6-month program provides expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers, and you can claim your spot now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/together-through-dyslexia!
My mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered.
Topics Covered:
- A clear breakdown of what the Prior Written Notice (PWN) document is and why it is a mandatory legal requirement, not a courtesy [2:04]
- What specific things makes PWN so powerful [3:48]
- Key scenarios where this document becomes a game-changer, from evaluation denials to placement changes [5:33]
- The "hidden" right you have to request this documentation even if the school doesn't offer it or mention it [7:15]
- How your advocacy shifts once you stop accepting "no" as a conversation ender and start building a documented trail [7:36]
- Why PWN is the ultimate tool for transparency and accountability, and how it moves you from being one step behind to being a strategic partner [8:43]
Key Takeaways:
- A refusal from the school isn't a closed door; it is simply the point where the documentation must begin.
- By using Prior Written Notice, you shift the entire conversation away from personal opinions and back to the specific assessments and data that your child’s services are legally required to be based on.
- The Power of the Paper Trail: The most effective advocacy happens in writing.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
IDEA (Federal Special Education Law)
#71 Why You Left That IEP Meeting Feeling Like You Got Played And How to Never Let It Happen Again
When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you:
Claim your spot now to Together Through Dyslexia, my 6-month program providing expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers!
Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid.
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