What Parents Should Request From Their School Before Summer Ends

By: Dr. Gabrielle Baker, President & Advocate

As summer winds down, many parents are focused on school supplies, class schedules, and preparing their child for a successful return to the classroom. If your child has an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or is receiving special education services, there's one more important item that should be on your back-to-school checklist: requesting the records and information you'll need before the first day of school.

Waiting until problems arise in August or September often means you're reacting instead of preparing. By gathering information before summer ends, you'll be in a much stronger position to advocate for your child from day one.

1. A Complete Copy of Your Child's Current IEP or 504 Plan

While this may seem obvious, many parents only have an outdated version saved on their computer or a draft from the last meeting. Before school starts, make sure you have the final signed version of your child's current plan, including any amendments made after the meeting.

Take time to review:

• Service minutes

• Accommodations

• Goals

• Behavior supports

• Transportation

• Related services

• Any assistive technology or specialized instruction

This is the document the school should be implementing on the first day.

2. Progress Monitoring Data

Don't settle for report card comments or general statements like "making progress."

Ask for the actual data the school used to determine whether your child made progress on each IEP goal. This information can help you determine:

• Which goals have been mastered

• Which goals need revision

• Whether services are effective

• Whether additional supports may be necessary

Objective data tells a much clearer story than opinions.

3. Evaluation Reports

Request copies of any evaluations completed during the school year, including:

• Psychoeducational evaluations

• Speech-language evaluations

• Occupational therapy evaluations

• Physical therapy evaluations

• Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs)

• Assistive technology evaluations

• Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), if applicable

These reports provide valuable information about your child's strengths, needs, and recommendations moving forward.

4. Service Logs

If your child receives related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, or specialized instruction, ask for documentation showing when those services were actually provided.

Service logs can help identify:

• Missed sessions

• Inconsistent scheduling

• Service delivery concerns

• Patterns that may affect progress

Many parents are surprised to learn services were missed without being made up.

5. Behavior Documentation

If behavior has been a concern during the school year, request copies of:

• Incident reports

• Behavior data

• ABC data collection

• Restraint or seclusion documentation (if applicable)

• Discipline records

• Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)

These records can help determine whether behavior supports are working or need revision before the new school year begins.

6. Attendance and Discipline Records

Even if attendance has not been an issue, it's helpful to maintain a complete educational record.

Request copies of:

• Attendance reports

• Suspension records

• Office referrals

• Administrative notes, when available

These records can become important if disagreements arise later regarding services or placement.

7. Any Pending Recommendations

Ask whether there are recommendations that have not yet been discussed with you.

For example:

• Additional evaluations

• New interventions

• Program changes

• Scheduling concerns

• Staffing changes that may affect your child

Knowing about these items before school starts gives you time to prepare instead of being caught off guard.

8. Class Schedule and Teacher Assignments

As soon as they become available, review your child's schedule carefully.

Ask yourself:

• Are all required services included?

• Is the placement consistent with the IEP?

• Does the schedule provide adequate support?

• Are there unnecessary transitions that may be difficult for your child?

Identifying concerns early often leads to faster solutions.

9. Transportation Information

If transportation is part of your child's IEP or 504 Plan, confirm:

• Pick-up and drop-off locations

• Specialized transportation accommodations

• Nurse or aide requirements, if applicable

• Bus route information

• Emergency contacts

Transportation problems are much easier to resolve before the first day than after.

10. Communication Plan

Ask who your primary point of contact will be during the upcoming school year.

Whether it's the case manager, special education teacher, counselor, or administrator, knowing who to contact can prevent delays when questions arise.

A simple communication plan can make the school year run much more smoothly.

Don't Wait Until There's a Problem

One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until the school year has already begun to request records or ask questions. By then, teachers are settling into routines, schedules are full, and concerns may already be affecting your child's education.

Preparing before school starts allows you to identify concerns early, advocate proactively, and begin the year with everyone on the same page.

If you aren't sure what records to request or how to review the information you receive, an educational advocate can help you identify potential concerns before they become larger issues.

A little preparation now can make a significant difference throughout the school year.