- Plain-English guides — understand your child's IEP line by line, learn the evaluation inside and out, and know exactly what to ask for.
- Step-by-step tools — the IEP checkup, IEP or 504, and parent tools for your first 90 days, the record binder, and turning 18.
- A credential-vetted local directory — the best evaluators, schools, therapists, and advocates near you, chosen by credentials (board certification, accreditation), not star ratings.
- Ready-to-use letter templates — the exact wording to request an evaluation, your records, or a meeting.
- Your state's free official help — every state has a federally funded Parent Center that's free by law. We point you straight to yours.
How to use A New Story
Start with what's worrying you
Not sure where to begin? The homepage groups everything by need — reading, autism, ADHD, the IEP itself — so you land in the right place fast.
Free · no sign-upLearn the piece you're facing
Read the plain-English guide for your situation — the IEP, the evaluation, or IEP vs. 504 — so you walk in knowing your rights.
Everything explained simplyPut it in writing
Use a free letter template to make the right request the right way — the single most effective thing most parents can do.
Find local help if you want it
The local-help finder points you to credential-vetted advocates and evaluators near you — free to search, and never pay-to-play.
Keep going
Come back anytime. It's all free, forever — and if your child is a struggling reader, take a look at A New Page, our reading program.
Honest answers
Is any of this really free?
Yes — all of it. Every guide, tool, template, and the local-help directory are free to use, with nothing to buy and no account required. A New Page, our separate reading program, is the one thing we charge for — and it's what keeps this site free.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is educational and advocacy information grounded in federal law (IDEA & Section 504), but it isn't legal representation. If your situation actually needs a lawyer, look for a special-education attorney (the COPAA directory is a great start).
Do you review my child's IEP or represent me?
No — we don't take your records or represent you. We give you the knowledge, tools, and local connections so you can advocate with confidence. Everything is self-serve, and your documents stay with you.
Is my child's information safe?
Yes. These are self-serve tools — you keep your own documents. We never ask you to upload your child's records, we never sell your information, and we never share anything with your school. Read our full privacy promise →
Does this work in my state?
Yes. Special-education rights are federal — the same in every state. What changes is the local process and who's genuinely good nearby, which is why we point you to a vetted local directory for your state. See how it works anywhere →
What if I need a real person beside me?
Use the local-help finder to connect with free and low-cost advocates and evaluators near you. Your state's Parent Training & Information Center is also free by law and can attend meetings with you.