Starting a New IEP Advocacy Year: Back to School Tips
by Lisa Krizman, Esq.

For parents of children with special needs, “back to school” means the start of a new IEP advocacy year. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

"Back to School" Supplies for Parents

(1) New spiral book. Get a new spiral notebook to document incidents concerning your child at home and at school, and conversations with the school and professionals. Start by documenting how your child did over the summer, which is important if you plan to ask for an Extended School Year. Keep this book handy (in the kitchen, for example).

Follow up:

(2) New very large folder. Get a folder in which you can toss all school work and notes your child brings home for that year. This can be very important for you to evaluate and monitor and document the child’s progress during that year, and from year to year.

(3) New loose-leaf book: Use this to file IEPs, the latest Parental Rights book from your state Department of Education, notices, emails, official reports to and from school and doctors/therapists. Remember that your requests to the Child Study Team must be in writing in order to initiate certain procedural protections.

Update the School Nurse. You may want to disclose medication status and changes.

Educate the New Staff. Initiate friendly contact with the child’s new teacher, aide and therapists to describe how to best handle your child.

Monitor Progress. Watch the progress of your child on a regular, periodic basis and report your concerns early to the teacher and your Child Study Team Case Manager. Don’t assume your child is progressing during the year. And, don’t wait until the annual IEP meeting to find out.