Prior written notice: what it is and how to ask for it

When the school decides to change, or decides not to change, something important about your child's special education, federal law says it must tell you in writing and explain why. That document is called prior written notice, often shortened to PWN.

When the school must give it

The school must give you written notice a reasonable time before it proposes, or refuses, to start or change your child's:

  • identification (whether your child has a disability under IDEA)
  • evaluation
  • educational placement
  • free appropriate public education (the services and supports your child receives)

The refusal part matters. If you ask for a service, an evaluation, or a change and the school says no, it owes you a written explanation.

What it must include

  1. A description of what the school is proposing or refusing to do.
  2. An explanation of why.
  3. A description of each evaluation, assessment, record, or report it used to decide.
  4. A statement that you have protections under IDEA's procedural safeguards, and how to get a copy of them.
  5. Sources you can contact for help understanding your rights.
  6. A description of other options the IEP team considered, and why they were rejected.
  7. Any other factors relevant to the decision.

It must be written in language the general public can understand and provided in your native language or other mode of communication, unless that is clearly not feasible.

Why it helps you

  • It turns a conversation into a written record of what was decided and why.
  • It shows what data the school relied on, which you can question.
  • If you later disagree through mediation or a complaint, it documents the school's position.

How to ask for it

If the school turns down a request, or makes a change you weren't expecting, you can write:

"Please provide prior written notice of your decision regarding [my request for / the change to] [describe it], including the reasons for the decision, the information you relied on, and the other options that were considered."

Keep a copy of your request and anything you receive. Our IEP meeting checklist covers other records worth keeping.

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Sources

This guide is general educational information about federal law, not legal advice. Your state may add its own rules and timelines. For help with your situation, contact your state's Parent Training and Information Center or a special education attorney.

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