How to Request an FBA or BIP Update Before Spring Conferences
By: Dr. Gabrielle Baker, President & Advocate
Spring conferences often focus on grades and academic progress, but for many students, behavior and regulation are the real barriers to learning. Waiting until behavior escalates or discipline increases makes it harder to address concerns effectively. Requesting an FBA or a BIP update before spring conferences gives the team time to review data, adjust supports, and make meaningful changes before the end of the school year.
An FBA is appropriate when behaviors interfere with learning, increase during stress or transitions, or result in repeated removals or disciplinary responses. A BIP should be updated when strategies are no longer working, behaviors have changed, or the plan is not being implemented consistently. You do not need to wait for a crisis to make this request. Schools are required to respond when a disability impacts access to education.
Start by making your request in writing. Keep it simple and factual. Reference observed behaviors, patterns over time, and how they impact learning or emotional regulation. Avoid emotional language and focus on access, effectiveness of current supports, and the need for updated data. Written requests help establish timelines and create a clear record.
When preparing for spring conferences, gather information that supports your request. This can include notes about behaviors at home, communication logs, discipline records, progress monitoring data, and feedback from outside providers. Patterns matter more than isolated incidents, and spring is an ideal time to show trends across the school year.
During the meeting, ask direct questions. Is the current plan based on recent data. Are interventions proactive or mostly reactive. Is data being collected consistently. Are staff trained on the plan and implementing it as written. These questions keep the focus on effectiveness rather than compliance.
If the school resists, remind the team that FBAs and BIPs are tools meant to support the student, not punish them. Updating a plan is not an admission of failure. It is a necessary step when a student’s needs change. Early adjustments can prevent burnout, discipline issues, and more restrictive placements later.
Requesting an FBA or BIP update before spring conferences sets the tone for collaboration and problem solving. It shows that the goal is stability, skill building, and access to learning, not reacting after things fall apart.
