5 tips for navigating post-IEP and closing the year with confidence
It’s a busy time for IEP teams and parents alike as we work toward closing this school year! Are you worried about completing and signing the IEP before the last day of school? What if you don’t agree with the IEP but want to tie up loose ends? Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered.
Special education advocate Dr. Sarah Pelangka gave us a list of five major items for parents to address before the end of the school year:
- Extended school year (ESY)
- Transitions for the next school year
- Keeping school devices/equipment at home over the summer
- Compensatory education
- Reviewing the IEP before signing
For Dr. Pelangka’s tips on discussing each of these with your IEP team, see our full article!
That last point is key — it’s essential to thoroughly review your child’s IEP before signing it to make sure the document is accurate to what you agreed on with your IEP team.
What if you and your team don’t agree? Here are your main options:
- California parents can partially sign to the parts of the IEP you agree with, such as ESY, so that your child doesn’t miss out on services while you work with your IEP team on the rest. The parts you do not sign will remain on “stay put” and follow the previous year’s IEP until you work out a solution.
- If the school wants to change or deny a service you’ve requested and they send you prior written notice, you can proceed to resolve the dispute via mediation, alternative dispute resolution, or due process.
- An education advocate can help you before, during, and after IEP meetings. If you’re proceeding to due process, you’ll want to strongly consider hiring an education attorney. You can learn more in our article Special Education Attorneys and Advocates: What’s the Difference?
Feeling overwhelmed with your growing end-of-year to-do list? Take a breather! Just because school is out doesn’t mean district staff is off duty as well. School admin still works a partial summer, so the last day of school doesn’t necessarily mean communication comes to a halt. Dr. Pelangka reminds us, “You can always request to meet over the summer, it just may not be a full team. You can try to at least hash it out through an administrative amendment, if need be.”
- A helpful reminder from Dr. Sarah Pelangka: Everybody’s calendars are so full, if it’s your priority to finish the IEP before the end of the school year, are you willing to possibly excuse members? Watch the video on Instagram→
- If you don’t sign the IEP and it goes into “stay put,” what does that mean for your child’s services? Hear this explanation from Undivided’s education advocate Lisa Carey. Watch on YouTube→
- Looking for an advocate or attorney in your area? The parents in our private Facebook group are comparing notes and sharing their recommendations. Join the discussion→
- Undivided is looking for more part-time Navigators to support our families. We’d love to have you join our team! Learn more on LinkedIn→
- Need help wrapping up the school year and getting ready for summer? Get 1:1 guidance from an Undivided Navigator. Start here →
This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers on 5/18/23. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources like this in your inbox, or check out our full library of articles, templates, and videos at undivided.io/resources.
