Whether your child has had a school year that was great or everything went off-track, what kinds of steps should go into your fall IEP planning for your student’s return to in-person school? Now is your time to plan. If you call an IEP today, you still have time to meet before the 2020-2021 school year ends.
Why should I start fall IEP planning when it is still spring?
Students who are included in regular education change teachers every year. This is both an opportunity and a sometimes-stressful event. If your child had a great working relationship with a previous teacher and the school year went smoothly, it is unsettling to think about changing. If your child is in Specialized Academic Instruction, teachers or support staff can change.
Take a moment to think about all the things in your child’s current IEP that have helped them accomplish goals during the 2020-2021 school year. Examples could include: great communication between home and school, appropriate services, reduced homework, access to headphones, etc. Make sure very specific examples are written down in the IEP, as it can help provide insight into what helped your child perform better in school this year.
While it may be tempting to wait until school starts, starting your fall IEP planning now allows you to document any occurrences that have been
obstructive or unhelpful during your child’s 2020-2021 school year. Was there little or no communication between the school and your home? Was the work your child received appropriate and individualized to support them? Document specific examples like these so that you can work with the IEP team to find solutions now. In the coming fall, your child will benefit most from a plan that is closely-tailored to their capabilities AND the areas where they need additional support.
If you are going to call an IEP this school year to prepare for fall 2021, please do it in March or April. Keep in mind that the district has 30 days from the time you call a meeting, so plan ahead. The end of school is a busy time for everyone. Planning can be difficult close to the school year’s end.
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As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.