Special Education and the Law for Parents
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, was enacted in 1966 and provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. All agencies of the U.S. Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records that are protected from disclosure by the nine exemptions to the FOIA listed below. The federal FOIA does not provide access to records held by state or local government agencies, or by private businesses or individuals. Most states, and some local jurisdictions, have their own laws about access to state and local records. State ED agencies should be contacted for further information about these statutes.
The topics listed are individual websites that can be accessed only by members of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE). If you are not a member of NAPCSE, and would like to join, click here to register. Members of NAPCSE, please log in above (member login and password) to activate these, and all other websites, in our database.
From the U.S. Department of Education
- What is FOIA
- Making a Request
- E-FOIA Reading Room
- Contacts at the U. S. Department of Education for FOIA
- FOIA Frequently Asked Questions
- Fees
- Links
- Full text of FOIA from the Department of Justice
