As education attorneys, we often hear from parents who are seeking advice at the start of a new school year, which is great, because this is the best time for parents to review their child’s IEP and plan for the coming year. September and October are critical for making sure goals are clear, measurable, and supported by real data. Make sure the IEP does not use vague goals that can’t be tracked. It’s also the right time to meet with the IEP team, ask how progress will be collected, and confirm that everyone involved has actually read the IEP and evaluations. Parents should update teachers on changes over the summer, coordinate with multiple instructors if needed, and make themselves a visible, positive presence in the school community. Taking these steps early helps prevent misunderstandings later, ensures accountability, and strengthens your role as your child’s most important advocate.
6 New School Year Tips and Special Education Advice
Review your child’s IEP Goals and Objectives.
Are the goals measurable in a way you can understand? For example, reading with “good fluency” is not measurable. However, reading “X words correct per minute” is measurable.
Meet with the IEP team in September or October (email the first week of school to set a date).
Ask how they plan to collect data on your child’s IEP goals. Ask them to show you a blank data collection sheet (or the “baseline” data collection from the first weeks of school). If you don’t understand how measuring progress is going to work, it’s not you– its them! Similarly, ask about the W’s of your child’s services– where, when, who (teacher, other kids), and why.
Make sure every member of your child’s IEP team has read the IEP, and if necessary, any relevant evaluations.
You’d be surprised how many times we hear teachers did not have a copy. Ask teachers if they need a copy.
Update your child’s new teacher(s) about anything that happened over the summer, like new behaviors or new skills.
If you child has multiple teachers, ask for a group meeting with all of them, even if it is outside the IEP meeting. If this isn’t possible, set up a quick phone call with each teacher in September or October.
Make yourself known!
Attend all the school events you can, volunteer in the classroom, go on field trips, and give positive feedback.
The new school year is a great time to speak to a special education attorney about your plans for the year.
Dealing with issues in special education, or accommodations before they become problems is easier, cheaper and less stressful.
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