Back to school hits differently when your child has an IEP or 504.
Here's how to set this year up for success before the first bell rings.
Back to School
What Your Child's New Team Needs to Know
Whether your child is starting at a brand-new school, moving to a new campus (elementary to middle, middle to high school) or just getting a new set of teachers, there is information that needs to transfer. And it doesn't always happen automatically.
Don't assume last year's team briefed this year's team. The beginning of the year is the most important time to make sure the right people have the right information.
New School or Campus
If this is your child's first year in a new building, the staff has no relationship with your child yet. The IEP transfers — but the context doesn't. You are the bridge.
Updated Medical Information
If your child's diagnosis, medication, or medical needs changed over the summer, contact the school nurse and case manager before the first day.
Family or Social Changes
Did something significant happen this summer? Schools can't support what they don't know about. Loop in the counselor or case manager now.
New Evaluations or Diagnoses
If your child had a private evaluation over the summer or received a new diagnosis, share that information. Request an IEP meeting in writing if it might affect services.
The Teacher Packet
Your Best First Move: The Teacher Packet
One of the most powerful things a parent can do at the start of the year is hand every new teacher a simple document that tells them who your child actually is.
Teachers are meeting 25 to 30 students on day one in elementary and 150-200 in secondary. The IEP or 504 gives them legal requirements. The Teacher Packet gives them your child. The person.
A Copy of the Current IEP or 504
Every teacher who works with your child — not just the special ed teacher — should have this. Don't assume it was distributed.
Who Your Child Is
Not their disability. Who they are. What lights them up. What shuts them down. What makes them feel safe.
What Motivates Your Child
What does your child work for? Stickers, screen time, verbal praise? Teachers can't use what they don't know about.
What to Do When Your Child Is Dysregulated
Does your child need space or closeness? Is there a phrase that helps? This can stop a small moment from becoming a big incident.
How You Prefer to Communicate
Phone, email, app, note in the planner? Set the expectation early. Parents who communicate clearly get more communication back.
Anything Else the Teacher Should Know
Sensory sensitivities, food allergies, upcoming evaluations — if it might affect how your child shows up in school, it belongs in the packet.
Coach Tip: Make one packet and print copies for each teacher, the case manager, the school counselor, and the front office. It takes about an hour to put together and it pays off all year long.
A Note from Coach
The beginning of the year is the best time to build the relationship. Before anything goes wrong. Before anyone gets frustrated. Before a pattern gets set that is hard to change.
The parents who have the smoothest school years aren't the ones who show up when there's a crisis. They're the ones who showed up in August, introduced themselves, and gave the teacher a document that made their job a little easier.
That's not being "that parent." That's being a prepared one.
Stay Connected
Let's Connect
Back-to-school is the busiest stretch of the year for questions. There is a lot happening, and most of it does not come with instructions.
Reply to this email. Tell me what you're most nervous about heading into this school year. I read every response and I write back.
Pass this along. If you know a parent who is dreading the first week back — especially one whose child just switched schools — this newsletter is for them.
Visit the website for past newsletters and resources at theiepcoach.com/newsletter.
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Coming September 1
The Newsletter Is Going Biweekly
Once a month isn't enough. Starting September 1, The IEP Coach newsletter will arrive twice a month — same practical focus, same voice, just more of it.
You have more power in this process than you've been led to believe.