Which procedural safeguard under IDEA ensures that a student remains in their current educational placement during disputes about their IEP or services?

• A. Stay Put.
• B. Parent participation.
• C. Individual educational evaluation.
• D. Confidentiality.

Answer: (A)

The "Stay Put" provision under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a critical safeguard designed to protect the educational stability of a student with a disability during disputes related to their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or services. This provision ensures that, when disagreements arise between parents and the school regarding the IEP — whether it’s about the nature of the educational placement or the services provided — the student will remain in their current educational placement until these disputes are resolved, unless the parents and the school agree otherwise.

This safeguard is essential because it helps prevent interruptions in a child's education, which can be detrimental to their learning and development. It reflects the principle that maintaining consistency in a student’s educational environment is beneficial while various concerns are addressed through mediation or due process procedures.

Other options, while important components of IDEA and special education, do not specifically address the issue of maintaining a student's current placement during disputes. For instance, parent participation refers to the involvement of parents in the IEP process, individual educational evaluations pertain to assessing a child's needs and eligibility for special education services, and confidentiality deals with the protection of students' records and private information. None of these directly ensure that a student remains in their current educational placement during disputes.