ELC-PA has created a series of fillable self-advocacy tools for parents, guardians, Educational Decision-Makers (EDM), child-seriving professionals, and advocates to address some of the most common barriers students encounter in Pennsylvania. Each tool is free to use.

To learn more about specific education rights identified for each topic area, please see our full Back to School Guide.

As with all of ELC-PA’s publications, the information and materials provided on each form does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The information may not reflect the most up-to-date legal or other information.  Rather, all information, content, and materials available on these forms and on our website are for general informational purposes only.  Every situation is different.  If you have questions about these forms or how the law applies to a particular situation, please visit our Contact page for more information or call 215-238-6970 (Eastern and Central PA) or 412-258-2120 (Western PA) ― or contact another attorney of your choice.

Enrollment

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Enrollment Complaint Letter
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Sworn Statement by Resident Under § 13-1302
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Education Record Correction Request (Eligible Student)
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Education Record Correction Request (Parent)
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Directory Information Opt-Out Request (Eligible Students)
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Directory Information Opt-Out Request (Parents, Guardians, or Caregivers)

Attendance

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Family Needs Self-Assessment to Address Attendance Barriers
• Self-Advocacy Tool: School Attendance Barriers and McKinney-Vento Screener
• Self-Advocacy Tool: MDJ Screener to Address Truancy Referrals
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Attendance Record Correction

School Discipline

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request to Appeal Parent or Caregiver Exclusion from School [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Expulsion Expungement Request (Parent) [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Suspension Expungement Request (Eligible Student) [UPDATED]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Suspension Expungement Request (Parent) [UPDATED]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Preparing for a Manifestation Determination

Inclusive Schools and Honest Education

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Bullying/Harassment Investigation
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Bullying or Harassment Complaint Form Checklist

Special Education

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request to Appeal Parent or Caregiver Exclusion from School [NEW!]
• How to File a Bureau of Special Education Complaint [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Disability-Related Accommodations for Parents/Caregivers [UPDATED]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Determination of Eligibility for a §504 Plan
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Evaluation to Determine Eligibility for Special Education
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Reevaluation
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for an Independent Education Evaluation (IEE)
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request to Convene an IEP Meeting
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Mediation to Resolve Special Education Disagreements
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Due Process to Resolve Special Education Disputes

Right to Be Free from Racism

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request to Appeal Parent or Caregiver Exclusion from School [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Expulsion Expungement Request (Parent) [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Suspension Expungement Request (Parent) [UPDATED]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Suspension Expungement Request (Eligible Student) [UPDATED]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Bullying/Harassment Investigation
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Bullying or Harassment Complaint Form Checklist

Multilingual Students and Families

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Translation and Interpretation Services

McKinney-Vento Eligible Students (Students Experiencing Homelessness)

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Act 1 Supports for Students in Grades K-8 [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Act 1 Supports on Behalf of a Student in Grades 9-12 [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: McKinney-Vento and Act 1 Eligibility Screener

Students in Care and in the Juvenile Justice System

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Act 1 Supports for Students in Grades K-8 [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Act 1 Supports on Behalf of a Student in Grades 9-12 [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Residential Placement Education Complaint Form [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Best Interest Determination for Children in Foster Care

Addressing Bullying/Harassment

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request to Appeal Parent or Caregiver Exclusion from School [NEW!]
• Fact Sheet: How to File a Discrimination Complaint With the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission [UPDATED]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Bullying/Harassment Investigation
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Bullying or Harassment Complaint Form Checklist

Credits and Graduation Planning

• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Act 1 Supports for Students in Grades K-8 [NEW!]
• Self-Advocacy Tool: Request for Act 1 Supports on Behalf of a Student in Grades 9-12 [NEW!]

---