Prior Written Notice (PWN) is the school's written explanation any time it proposes, or refuses, to change your child's evaluation, eligibility, placement, or services. It is required by law, and learning to ask for it changes the whole power balance of an IEP.
When the school owes you a PWN
The school must give you Prior Written Notice whenever it proposes or refuses a change to your child's identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the services in the IEP. Crucially, that includes saying no to something you asked for, like an evaluation, an aide, or a service.
What a real PWN must include
- A description of what the school is proposing or refusing to do.
- An explanation of why it is taking that action.
- The evaluations, data, or reports the decision was based on.
- Any other options the team considered, and why they were rejected.
- A statement of your procedural rights.
A vague one-sentence denial does not meet this standard. If you receive one, you can ask for a complete PWN.
Why PWN is your most powerful tool
A verbal "no" in a meeting disappears. A written PWN forces the school to put its reasoning on the record, creates your paper trail, and starts the clock on your appeal options. Many decisions soften the moment a parent calmly asks for them in writing, because now the school has to justify them.