Winter Break IEP Check-In : A Parent’s Checklist for a Strong Start to the New Year
By: Mattelin McReynolds, Advocate
Winter break gives families a much-needed reset. But once January rolls around, many students with IEPs struggle with the transition back to routines, expectations, and learning demands. Schools sometimes also experience gaps in implementation as everyone gets back into the swing of things.
A mid-year check-in is one of the most effective ways to make sure your child’s IEP is being implemented correctly and that their supports align with their needs.
Here is your Winter Break IEP Check-In Checklist to help you start the second half of the year with clarity and confidence.
1. Review Your Child’s Current IEP
Before school returns, pull out the current IEP and look at:
The goals and whether your child is on track
Accommodations and supports they should be receiving daily
Service minutes and frequency (OT, PT, speech, intervention)
Behavior supports, BIP, safety plans or crisis plans
Assistive technology that should be in use
Make note of anything you believe is not happening or not working.
2. Ask for Updated Progress Monitoring
Schools are required to provide periodic progress updates.
In January, request:
The most recent data for each IEP goal
How progress was measured
How often data has been collected
Whether your child is on track to meet goals by the annual review
If the updates are unclear, inconsistent, or missing, ask for clarification.
3. Check in With Your Child About School Routines
Children often reveal the most accurate information about day-to-day implementation. Ask:
Are you using your accommodations?
Do you feel supported when you need help?
Are any subjects or times of day hard right now?
Are there any routines that feel different than before break?
Look for patterns that may signal unmet needs.
4. Monitor the Transition Back to School
The first two to three weeks after break can be tough. Watch for:
Fatigue or difficulty waking up
Increased anxiety, meltdowns, or avoidance
Homework frustration
Behavior changes
Regression in academic skills
If you see a significant shift, request an IEP meeting or an intervention review.
5. Confirm Service Minutes and Supports Are Happening
Unfortunately, lapses in implementation often occur after long breaks.
Send a friendly check-in email to verify:
Speech, OT, PT, or counseling sessions have resumed
Small-group or 1:1 reading/math intervention is happening
Behavior supports and sensory tools are being used
Para support is consistently available during required times
If anything was missed, request a plan to make up missed services.
6. Review Behavior Data and the BIP (If Applicable)
If your child has a Behavior Intervention Plan or safety supports, ask for:
Updated behavior data
Notes from before and after break
Confirmation that all staff have returned to implementing the plan
If incidents increase after break, it may signal the need for:
A BIP update
A fidelity check
Additional supports or staff training
7. Communicate Early With Teachers and Providers
A quick January email helps reset the team and reinforce expectations.
Consider asking:
What priorities the team has for your child this semester
How you can support routines at home
Whether any concerns have come up since returning from break
If any part of the IEP may need adjustment
This establishes collaborative communication going into spring.
8. If Concerns Come Up, Request a Mid-Year IEP Meeting
Parents can request a meeting at any time. You might request one if:
Goal progress is unclear or off-track
Behavior is escalating
Service minutes are not being met
The workload is overwhelming
Your child needs new or updated supports
The current placement or schedule is not working
A mid-year tune-up keeps the IEP aligned with your child’s actual needs.
9. Prepare for Spring Testing and Evaluations
January is a key planning month for:
State testing accommodations
District benchmarking
Reevaluations or FBAs
ESY eligibility discussions
Make sure the team has accurate data and that accommodations match what is used daily.
10. Trust Your Observations
You know your child best.
If something feels off after break:
Document it
Request data
Ask for clarification
Call a meeting
Early action now prevents bigger challenges later in the year.
A winter break IEP check-in helps ensure your child starts the new year supported, regulated, and set up for success. By reviewing the IEP, gathering updated data, and communicating proactively with the school, parents can make meaningful adjustments long before the end-of-year rush.
