Back-to-School Check-In: Is Your Child Receiving the Services They Need This School Year?
By Ashley Vancleef, Esq.
Law for Parents
Buying school supplies, adjusting sleep schedules, new haircuts, preparing for the first day of school… the hustle of back to school is upon us already! While these are all important steps, have you asked yourself – Does my child’s 504 or IEP include what they need to be successful this year?
If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 Plan, now is the perfect time to review it before they return to the classroom. Too often, parents discover weeks—or even months—into the school year that services are missing, accommodations are not being implemented, or their child is struggling because the current plan no longer meets their needs. This is especially common as students transition from elementary to middle or middle to high school.
Take a few minutes to ask yourself:
- Are the present levels accurate or have there been significant changes?
- Were all agreed-upon changes from the last meeting included in the finalized copy of the plan?
- Are the goals still appropriate and measurable?
- How will their services fit into the school’s proposed class schedule?
- Do you have new evaluations, diagnoses, or concerns since the last meeting that should be shared and addressed?
Don’t Wait for Problems!
The beginning of the school year is one of the best opportunities to address concerns proactively rather than reactively. Waiting until report cards, parent-teacher conferences, or repeated phone calls home can mean your child has already lost valuable instructional time.
A thorough review of your child’s educational records can often identify concerns before they become larger issues. Sometimes the solution is as simple as requesting a 504 or IEP meeting or clarifying services with the case manager. Other times, additional evaluations or more significant changes to the educational program may be appropriate.
A comprehensive review may be beneficial if:
- Your child continues to perform below grade level or show signs of emotional upset with school despite having a plan.
- You disagree with the school’s recommendations.
- You feel services have not been effective.
- You are considering requesting additional evaluations or you disagree with the evaluations completed by the school team.
- You have noticed regression over the summer or during the previous school year.
- You want to know more about your rights and strategies to ensure the plan is implemented.
- You simply want peace of mind knowing your child’s educational program is appropriately written before school begins.
Law for Parents Can Help
At Law for Parents, we work with families to understand their child’s educational records, identify potential concerns, and develop practical strategies for moving forward. A comprehensive file review allows us to evaluate your child’s educational history, current services, evaluations, progress, and IEP to determine whether the program appears appropriate to provide meaningful educational benefit.
Whether your child is entering pre-kindergarten, transitioning to middle or high school, or simply needs a fresh look at their current plan, now is an excellent time to ensure everything is in place before the school year starts.
Schedule a Consultation
We encourage you to schedule a consultation with Law for Parents.
To schedule a consultation with Ashley Vancleef, Esq., and the team at Law for Parents, contact our office by emailing alexandra@lawforparents.com for an intake form.
We are here to help families advocate for the education their children deserve.