The first week of school sets the tone for the entire year.
For students with disabilities, it is more than learning classroom routines or finding the cafeteria. It is the first opportunity to see whether the supports and services they’ve been guaranteed through their IEP are in place.
While every child needs time to adjust to a new classroom, an IEP doesn’t have a grace period. Accommodations, supports, and services should begin when school begins.
The first week is one of the best times to ask questions and establish communication. If your child requires accommodations, specialized instruction, related services, behavioral supports, assistive technology, or health and safety plans, now is the time to make sure those supports are being implemented—not several weeks from now.
Being an involved parent doesn’t mean being confrontational. It means being informed.
Parents know their children better than anyone. Schools know how to deliver instruction. When both bring their expertise to the table and focus on meaningful progress, students benefit.
Meaningful progress should always be our goal.
Parents should feel comfortable asking questions like:
- Has my child’s IEP been shared with everyone responsible for implementing it?
- Are accommodations already being used?
- Have related services started?
- Does everyone understand my child’s communication, sensory, behavioral, or safety needs?
- Is data being collected so progress can be measured?
These aren’t unreasonable questions. They’re questions every parent should feel empowered to ask.
I’ve worked with thousands of families over the years, and I’ve learned that many problems can be prevented when parents stay engaged from the very beginning instead of waiting until concerns become larger issues.
That’s exactly why I created the START STRONG: First-Week School Toolkit.
It’s a practical guide designed to help parents know what to look for during those critical first days of school. Inside you’ll find checklists, communication tools, observation forms, conversation starters, and resources that help you document what’s working—and identify concerns early if something isn’t.
The goal isn’t to catch schools doing something wrong.
The goal is to make sure your child has every opportunity to succeed from Day One.
If supports are in place, wonderful. Celebrate that success.
If something isn’t happening, it’s much easier to address it during the first week than after a month of missed services or accommodations.
Every child deserves a strong start.
And every parent deserves to know what that strong start should look like.
Download the free START STRONG: First-Week School Toolkit here
Here’s to a school year filled with high expectations, meaningful progress, and students receiving the supports they need to reach their full potential.
