Mid-Year IEP Tune-Up: What You Can Legally Ask for in December
By: Mattelin McReynolds, Advocate
December is one of the busiest and most stressful months for families, and that is often true for students with IEPs as well. The first half of the school year has passed, routines are established, and many parents are beginning to notice what is working and what is not. The good news is that you do not need to wait until spring or the annual review to make changes. Families have the legal right to request updates, meetings, and adjustments at any point in the school year, including mid-year.
A December IEP tune-up can help ensure that your child enters the new year with the support they need to make meaningful progress.
Why December Is the Perfect Time for an IEP Review
By mid-year, patterns in academics, behavior, and classroom functioning are clearer. You may see:
Lack of progress on goals
Increasing anxiety or avoidance
Missing accommodations
Behavior plans that are not effective
Service minutes that are not being delivered consistently
Grades that do not reflect the child’s true ability
December offers an opportunity to correct course before the second half of the school year begins.
What You Can Legally Request in December
Parents have the right under IDEA to request any of the following at any time. Districts cannot require you to wait until the annual review.
1. An IEP Meeting
You can request a meeting to review:
Progress (or lack of progress)
Service minutes
Accommodations
Behavior supports
Placement
Missing or inconsistent implementation
Schools must respond within a reasonable timeframe and schedule a meeting.
2. A Mid-Year Reevaluation
If your child is not making progress or the current supports do not match their needs, you can request updated evaluations. A reevaluation can include academics, behavior, speech and language, OT, or any area of suspected disability.
3. Changes to Goals or the Addition of New Goals
If current goals are not appropriate, not measurable, or not addressing the real needs, you can request updated goals. If new concerns arise, new goals can be added immediately.
4. Adjustments to Accommodations and Modifications
If your child is still struggling, you can ask for:
Extended time
Breaking assignments into parts
Visual supports
Assistive technology
Reduced distractions
Testing accommodations
Behavior supports during transitions
These can be added or revised at any time.
5. Increased Service Minutes
If your child requires more support, you can request additional minutes for:
Resource room
Specialized reading instruction
Counseling
Speech
OT
Behavior intervention
Services must match the student’s needs, not the school schedule.
6. A New or Updated Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
If behavior has escalated or the current BIP is not effective, you may request:
A new Functional Behavior Assessment
Updated behavior supports
De-escalation strategies
Staff training
Data collection improvements
A BIP must be based on current data and the child’s actual needs.
7. Documentation About Missing Services
If service minutes were not delivered consistently during the fall, you can request written documentation and compensatory services if necessary.
How to Begin a Mid-Year Tune-Up
Start with a simple written request. You might say:
“I am requesting an IEP meeting to review my child’s progress and discuss mid-year adjustments to ensure the IEP is meeting their current needs.”
Putting the request in writing activates the timeline and ensures the school responds.
A December IEP tune-up is not only allowed, it is often essential. Mid-year is the perfect time to correct issues, strengthen supports, and make sure your child starts the new year with a plan that actually works. You do not have to wait, and you do not need to settle for an IEP that is not meeting your child’s needs.
If you need support navigating this process or want help preparing for a mid-year meeting, Education Advocates of America is here to help.
