Back to School 2020

Typically, at this time of the year (August), we’re getting ready to send our kids back into a classroom, but we know that we are quickly approaching an unprecedented back-to-school situation. While there are some kids across the nation who will go back into classrooms, hundreds of thousands (and maybe millions) will continue to do schooling at home and online. For some kids this experience has been pretty amazing, and for others, quite devastating.

Regardless of what your school district, or yourself, is planning to do, parents MUST take steps to prepare themselves and their children – especially those who have IEPs (which include a right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education).

Here’s a quick list of 10 tips to get you going – and a video that provides details about each point. I hope it’s helpful.

1. Read your IEP
2. Create a goal chart to see progress or lack thereof
3. Collect and organize work samples
4. Put those service logs together
5. Make copies of emails and phone call notes that you had with your child’s teacher, school or district that speak to your requests for support or instruction.
6. Place video files into one digital folder
7. Data Data Data – document and keep it as organized as possible
8. Continue to have a structured learning environment if you’re child will be doing school at home
9. For those going to school, create social stories, visual checklists and prepare for masks and social distancing requirements
10. Put in writing to your school your concerns and desires for this coming school year

If you need help to address your concerns with your school, reach out to us.

A sample of the Wrightslaw complaint letter can be found here: https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/ltr.virus.teletherapy.htm

A sample of a ten-day letter can be found here: https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/advice-about-10-day-notice-letters-to-the-school/