The Consent and Withhold-Consent Letter Templates (Free Printable)
A free printable read against IDEA and Section 504, written to help you walk in prepared.
Last reviewed . Read against IDEA, 34 CFR 300.9.
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What are the Consent and Withhold-Consent Letter Templates?
Under IDEA, a school needs a parent's informed written consent before it evaluates a child for special education and before it starts special education or related services. A parent can withhold that consent or revoke it later in writing. This page has three letter templates: giving written consent to an initial evaluation, withholding or declining consent to an initial evaluation and revoking consent for special education and related services your child is already receiving. Each template states the legally load-bearing sentences in plain language and cites the federal regulation behind them, so you know exactly what you are agreeing to, declining or ending before you send it.
How to use this printable. These are starting templates to help you put a consent decision in writing. Read each one over and adjust it to your own situation before you send it. This is general educational information about federal special education law, not legal advice. It does not tell you what decision is right for your child. Consenting, withholding consent and revoking consent are significant decisions with real consequences explained plainly in each template below, so read the legal basis section for the letter you are considering and talk with your child's team or an advocate if you are unsure.
How to use it
Pick the template that matches your situation, fill in the bracketed details in your own words and remove anything that does not apply. Read the legal basis notes under each template before you send it, since consenting, withholding and revoking each carry their own, genuinely different consequences. Send whichever letter you choose in a way that gives you a dated record (email, certified mail or a hand-delivered copy signed by the school) and keep a copy for yourself.
What is on the printable
Fields in brackets are yours to fill in. Read the letter over and adjust it to your child's situation before you send it.
Federal law defines what 'consent' has to mean before a school can rely on it. The parent must be fully informed of what is being asked, in a language or mode of communication the parent understands. The parent must also agree in writing to the specific activity described (34 CFR 300.9(a) and (b)). Consent is always voluntary and a parent can revoke it at any time, though revoking consent is not retroactive: it does not undo anything the school already did while consent was in effect (34 CFR 300.9(c)(1) and (c)(2)).
Written Consent to an Initial Evaluation
Use this letter to give your informed written consent for the school to conduct an initial evaluation of your child for special education. Many districts will also ask you to sign their own consent form; you can send this letter along with that form or on its own to state your consent clearly in your own words and keep a dated copy for your records.
When this one fits. You want your child evaluated and you are ready to say yes in writing, whether the school proposed the evaluation or you requested it yourself.
Subject: Written Consent for Initial Special Education Evaluation for [Child's Full Name]
Dear [Principal / Special Education Coordinator Name],
I am giving my informed, written consent for [School District Name] to conduct an initial evaluation of my child, [Child's Full Name], date of birth [Date of Birth], currently in [Grade] at [School Name], to determine whether they qualify for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
I understand this consent is for the evaluation only. It does not by itself authorize the school to begin special education or related services, since federal law treats consent for the evaluation and consent for the initial provision of services as two separate decisions. I understand the school will ask for my consent again, separately, before starting any services if my child is found eligible.
I understand this consent is voluntary and that I can revoke it in writing at any time. I also understand that revoking my consent later would not undo any part of the evaluation the school already completed before I revoked it.
Please send me a description of the specific tests, records and procedures the evaluation will include, along with a current copy of my procedural safeguards. I understand the evaluation is generally due within 60 days of this consent unless our state has set its own timeframe. I would appreciate knowing which timeframe applies here.
Please contact me at [phone number] or [email address] with any questions or next steps. I am keeping a copy of this letter and would appreciate a written or emailed acknowledgment that you received it.
Thank you for your attention to this.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Phone Number] / [Email Address]
[Date]
| A school must obtain a parent's informed written consent before conducting an initial evaluation. 34 CFR 300.300(a)(1)(i) | Before evaluating a child for the first time, the school has to give the parent notice and then get informed consent in writing. Without that consent, the evaluation cannot go forward. |
|---|---|
| Consent for the initial evaluation is not the same as consent for special education and related services. 34 CFR 300.300(a)(1)(ii) | Saying yes to the evaluation only agrees to the testing and assessment process. The school has to come back and ask for separate written consent before it can actually start special education or related services, even if the evaluation finds your child eligible. |
| Consent is voluntary and can be revoked at any time, though revoking it later does not undo evaluation steps already completed. 34 CFR 300.9(c)(1) and (c)(2) | Federal law builds voluntariness into the definition of consent itself. You can change your mind after giving consent, but that change only affects what happens going forward. It does not cancel testing that already took place while your consent was in effect. |
| The evaluation is generally due within 60 days of consent, unless the state has set its own timeframe. 34 CFR 300.301(c)(1) | The federal default gives the school 60 calendar days from the date it receives your written consent to complete the evaluation. A number of states set their own timeframe instead, so it is worth confirming which rule your state and district follow. |
Before you send this one
- This letter states your consent in your own words. Many districts will still want their own consent form signed too, so ask whether one is needed alongside this letter.
- Saying yes to the evaluation does not commit you to saying yes to services afterward. That is a separate decision you make once you see the evaluation results.
- Keep a signed and dated copy of whatever consent form or letter you send. The evaluation timeline usually starts counting from the date the school receives your consent.
Withholding or Declining Consent to an Initial Evaluation
Use this letter if you do not want the school to move forward with a proposed initial evaluation right now, or if you want to formally decline consent after a referral. You do not have to give a reason, though many parents choose to explain their thinking.
When this one fits. The school has proposed evaluating your child or asked you to sign a consent form for an initial evaluation. You want to say no or wait, in writing.
Subject: Withholding Consent for Proposed Initial Special Education Evaluation for [Child's Full Name]
Dear [Principal / Special Education Coordinator Name],
I am writing regarding the proposed initial evaluation of my child, [Child's Full Name], currently in [Grade] at [School Name]. I do not consent to this evaluation at this time.
[Optional: you may briefly state your reasons here, for example: I want more time to gather outside information first; I have concerns I would like to discuss with the team before agreeing; I do not believe an evaluation is needed right now. You are not required to explain your decision.]
I understand that under federal law, [School District Name] may choose to pursue this evaluation anyway by using mediation or a due process hearing, but is not required to do so. I understand that if the school does not pursue those options, it has not violated its evaluation obligations to my child by not evaluating at this time.
I understand that withholding my consent now does not use up my right to request an initial evaluation again in the future. If I change my mind, I can make that request again in writing at any time.
Please confirm in writing that you have received this letter and that the evaluation will not proceed without my written consent. Please contact me at [phone number] or [email address] with any questions.
Thank you for your attention to this.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Phone Number] / [Email Address]
[Date]
| A school needs a parent's informed written consent before it can conduct an initial evaluation. 34 CFR 300.300(a)(1)(i) | Without your consent, the evaluation itself cannot happen, so withholding consent is enough on its own to stop the evaluation from moving forward unless the school pursues an override. |
|---|---|
| If a parent does not consent, the school may try to override that decision through mediation or a due process hearing, but it is not required to. 34 CFR 300.300(a)(3)(i) | Federal law gives the school this option. It does not require the school to use it. Whether a district pursues an override is a district-level decision. This option does not apply where it would be inconsistent with your own state's consent law. It also exists only for a child enrolled in public school or seeking to be enrolled in public school; if your child is home schooled or placed in private school at your own expense, the district may not use these override procedures at all (34 CFR 300.300(d)(4)). |
| A school does not violate its evaluation or child-find obligations by choosing not to pursue an override when a parent withholds consent. 34 CFR 300.300(a)(3)(ii) | If the district decides not to seek an override, that decision itself is not treated as a legal violation. In practice, that generally means the evaluation simply does not happen unless you ask again or the school pursues the override option. |
| Consent is voluntary. Withholding it now does not waive the right to request an evaluation again later. 34 CFR 300.9(c)(1) | Nothing about withholding consent today closes the door permanently. You can request an evaluation again whenever you are ready. |
| Either a parent or the school can start a new request for an initial evaluation at any time. 34 CFR 300.301(b) | Requesting an evaluation is not a one-time opportunity. If your thinking changes later, you or the school can start a new request the same way the first one started. |
Before you send this one
- You do not have to give a reason for withholding consent. A brief explanation can help keep the conversation with the school open if you are willing to share one.
- Withholding consent is not the same as never being able to request an evaluation. You can ask again whenever you are ready, in writing.
- If you are unsure rather than fully decided, consider asking for a meeting to discuss your concerns before you decide. Unless the district pursues the override route described above, the school cannot evaluate without your consent, so there is no rush forced on you by federal law alone, though your state's own process may have its own steps worth knowing about.
Revoking Consent for Continued Special Education and Related Services
Use this letter if your child is already receiving special education and related services under an IEP and you want to formally stop those services going forward. This is a significant decision. Read the legal basis section below carefully before you send it.
When this one fits. Your child currently has an IEP and receives special education or related services. You have decided, after thinking it through, that you want those services to end.
Subject: Written Revocation of Consent for Special Education and Related Services for [Child's Full Name]
Dear [Principal / Special Education Coordinator Name],
I am writing to revoke my consent, in writing, for the continued provision of special education and related services to my child, [Child's Full Name], currently in [Grade] at [School Name], effective [Date].
I understand this revocation applies going forward from this date. It does not undo or affect any special education or related services my child already received before this letter.
I understand that after the school receives this letter, it may not continue providing special education and related services to my child. I understand the school must first send me prior written notice, as required under federal law, before those services actually stop.
I understand the school is not required to hold an IEP Team meeting or write a new IEP for further special education services once this revocation takes effect. I understand the school will not be considered to have failed to provide a free appropriate public education because those services stop at my request.
I understand this revocation does not require the school to remove or amend references to my child's past special education services from their educational records.
If I later decide my child should receive special education services again, I understand I can make that request in writing at any time. I understand the school may treat that new request as the start of a new evaluation process rather than an automatic restart of past services.
Please send me written confirmation that you have received this letter, along with the prior written notice for ending services. Please contact me at [phone number] or [email address] with any questions.
Thank you for your attention to this.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Phone Number] / [Email Address]
[Date]
| A parent who previously consented to services can revoke that consent in writing at any time for the continued provision of special education and related services. 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4) | This is the specific provision that lets a parent stop services the child is already receiving. It is separate from the rules about consenting to services in the first place. |
|---|---|
| Once the school receives a written revocation, it may not continue the services, but it must send prior written notice before actually ceasing them. 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4)(i) and 34 CFR 300.503 | The school cannot simply stop services the moment it reads your letter. It has to send you a written notice first, explaining the change, before services actually end. |
| The school cannot use mediation or a due process hearing to try to keep providing services after a parent revokes consent in writing. 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4)(ii) | This runs the opposite direction from the initial-evaluation rule, where the school is allowed to try an override. Here, the school is specifically barred from trying to override your written revocation through those procedures. |
| Stopping services after a written revocation is not treated as the school failing to provide a free appropriate public education. 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4)(iii) | This provision protects the school from being found in violation for stopping services you asked it to stop in writing. |
| The school does not have to hold an IEP meeting or write a new IEP for further services once a parent revokes consent. 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4)(iv) | The usual annual IEP meeting cycle does not continue for services that are no longer being provided at the parent's written request. |
| Revoking consent is not retroactive. 34 CFR 300.9(c)(2) | Whatever your child received before this letter stays as part of their educational history. This revocation only changes what happens from the effective date forward. It does not undo anything that already happened. |
| The school is not required to amend the child's educational records to remove references to their past special education services because a parent revoked consent. 34 CFR 300.9(c)(3) | Revoking consent stops future services. It does not erase the record that your child received special education and related services in the past, so do not expect old IEPs or service records to disappear from your child's file. |
Before you send this one
- This is one of the more significant letters on this page. Once the school acts on it, your child's IEP team is not required to meet or write a new IEP to keep services going. Consider talking it through with your child's team, an advocate or another trusted source before you send it, even though you are not required to.
- Revoking consent stops services from the date you choose forward. It does not erase your child's history of receiving special education or remove that history from their file.
- If you change your mind later, you can ask for services again in writing. The district may treat that as a fresh look rather than simply restarting the old IEP, so be ready for that step even if your child was found eligible before.
- If only one parent wants to revoke consent and the other does not agree, that is a family decision to work through together or through your own legal channels. Ask the school how it handles a written revocation from one parent when parents do not agree, since that is worth raising with the district directly rather than assuming an answer.
Get the free Consent and Withhold-Consent Letter Templates (PDF)
Three letters for the three consent decisions: giving it, withholding it and revoking it, each with the reasoning attached.
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