When the School Removes the BIP: Immediate Steps to Take

By: Dr. Gabrielle Baker, President & Advocate

A Behavior Intervention Plan, or BIP, is one of the most important parts of a student’s IEP when behavior impacts learning. It is the document that outlines exactly how the school will support your child’s behavior through strategies, interventions, and positive reinforcement. When a school removes or stops following a BIP, the impact can be serious: behavioral escalation, loss of consistency, and increased disciplinary actions. Parents often find out the BIP has been removed only after problems start to resurface. Knowing what to do immediately can protect your child and ensure the school remains compliant with the law.

First, understand that a BIP cannot be removed without a team decision. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that any changes to an IEP or its components, including the BIP, must be made by the IEP team, not by a single teacher, administrator, or service provider. If you’re told that the BIP has been discontinued, replaced, or is “no longer needed,” you have the right to request an IEP meeting immediately to discuss this change.

Document everything. Ask the school to provide written notice of when and why the BIP was removed. If they cannot produce documentation or a Prior Written Notice (PWN), that’s a violation. Send an email summarizing what you were told: “We were informed that my child’s BIP was removed. Please provide a copy of the PWN outlining the rationale, data reviewed, and team members who participated in this decision.” This ensures there is a written record of what occurred.

Next, request data. A BIP should only be changed or discontinued if data shows that the target behaviors have significantly decreased and the student is maintaining success without additional supports. Ask for all recent behavior data, progress reports on behavioral goals, and documentation of interventions used. If data collection has been inconsistent or missing, that’s a sign that the removal was premature or not data-driven.

If the BIP was tied to a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), confirm whether a new FBA has been conducted. Best practice, and often state regulation, requires that a BIP be updated based on current assessment data. If behaviors are still occurring or new ones have emerged, the FBA may be outdated. Request a new one in writing, stating that behavior data suggests continued need.

If your child’s behaviors have increased since the removal of the BIP, request that it be reinstated immediately until the team can meet and review data. You can say: “Given the regression and current behavior incidents, we request that the prior BIP remain in effect until new data can be reviewed.” This protects your child under the “stay-put” provision of IDEA, which prevents the district from unilaterally changing services when there’s disagreement.

If the school refuses to reinstate or review the BIP, you can escalate through a written state complaint or due process request, depending on the severity and impact on your child’s education. You may also request compensatory services if the lack of a BIP resulted in disciplinary removals or loss of instructional time.

It’s also critical to remind the team that behavior supports are not optional. A child’s behavior is part of their disability, and under IDEA and Section 504, schools are required to provide the interventions necessary for the student to access learning. Removing a BIP without replacement or adequate supports can be considered a denial of FAPE.

Finally, keep communication calm but firm. Schools sometimes remove BIPs because they think a student has improved or because staff turnover makes implementation difficult. A respectful but clear written response can often resolve misunderstandings and refocus the team on what matters most—your child’s stability and progress.

If your child’s BIP was removed or ignored, take action right away. Request documentation, demand data, and call for a team meeting. Do not wait for more incidents to occur. The sooner you intervene, the sooner the supports can be reinstated and the environment stabilized.

Education Advocates of America works with families across the country who face this exact issue. When schools remove behavior plans without data or proper process, we help ensure accountability and restore the structure children need to succeed.