Summer is the perfect time for parents to take steps to plan for the next school year. It is also an opportunity to document concerns from the previous school year and to set students up for success in the coming academic year. Here are some key activities to consider during the summer months.
Review Progress Reports
You saw how your child was feeling about school this year, the work that came home, and reports from teachers. Does that match the progress reports, both formal, required IEP progress and report cards? To confirm that your child is truly progressing, start by taking a good look at their IEP Progress Report (you did get quarterly progress reports on IEP goals, right?). Make sure the progress reported by the school is clear, objective, and understandable. We’ve said it before– if it doesn’t make sense to you, it doesn’t make sense. If it doesn’t include numbers, it probably isn’t objective. You are entitled to measurable data that shows your child’s achievements. This will give you a solid foundation to build on for the next school year.
Evaluate the Need for Outside Assessments
If you have any doubts about the accuracy of the school’s progress reports, or whether your child is keeping up with grade level expectations, they might benefit from an outside assessment. You might want to consider gathering information from an independent evaluator to provide you an overview of your child’s needs– whether they are academic, social-emotional, or behavioral. This is probably the number one thing you can do to help you make informed decisions about their educational journey. Schedule now– assessors schedule in advance! There are many kinds of assessments– you can do a full psycho-educational assessment, with a psychologist, yes, but you can also do just an academic assessment with an academic consultant or a speech language evaluation with a private speech pathologist, for example.
Plan for Unilateral Placement – 10 day or “Gebser” Letters
Have plans to move your child to a special education or “non-public” private school in September? There are several important steps and considerations to keep in mind. One key requirement that could cause you to lose the ability to seek tuition reimbursement is the ten-day notice rule. You need to send a unilateral placement letter also called “unilateral placement letter,” a “10-day letter” or a “Gebser” letter to the public school system. This letter notifies the school of your intentions and could help you recoup some of the costs associated with private schooling. Expect to get a response denying your request for tuition reimbursement– this is boilerplate and does not mean you cannot still be successful.
Request an IEP Meeting
If you have concerns about the upcoming school year, it’s a good idea to request an IEP meeting over the summer. Schools are required to hold these meetings during the break. Timelines are not put on hold during the summer. This applies to both new IEP evaluation requests and also IEP meetings for existing IEPs. Summer meetings provide a chance to address concerns, update goals, and ensure that all support services are in place for the upcoming school year. However, be aware that 10 month school employees (i.e. your child’s classroom teachers, most likely, will not be available, and that’s ok).
Take a Break
Managing special education for your own child is exhausting! It’s easy to overlook the importance of downtime. Give yourself and your child a break. Engage in fun activities together to reduce stress and help both of you return to school feeling refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges. Maybe the best thing you can do this summer is first set your appointments and goals for the coming school year (sorry, we can’t just ignore it all!) and then take a break. If you think you may need to work with a special education consultant, a psychologist, evaluator, or even a lawyer, this is a good time to set up appointments for September.
By taking these steps during the summer, you can ensure your child is equipped to succeed for the upcoming school year.
Enjoy your summer, and here’s to a successful and productive new school year!
This blog post is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.