The first few weeks of school can be a whirlwind. New teachers, new schedules, new classrooms, transportation changes and a whole lot of paperwork.
But now that we are into the third week of school (in most areas), it’s time for parents of students with disabilities to start asking an important question:
Is my child’s IEP being implemented?
(Contrary to what you might hear) An IEP is not something that should slowly be put into place as everyone settles into the school year. If a service, accommodation, support or placement is written into your child’s IEP, it should be provided.
Here are a few things I encourage parents to check right now.
1. Did inclusion start on Day 1?
If your child’s IEP says they will spend part of their day in the general education classroom, has that actually been happening?
Sometimes parents hear things like:
“We’re going to give them a few weeks to adjust first.”
Or:
“We haven’t started inclusion yet, but we’re working toward it.” This is tragic – the first week of school is when kids get to meet each other, get used to the new way of doing things, learn the schedule and environment of the new classroom, etc. Imagine being someone who showed up late and has to try to catch up!
Look at your child’s IEP. What does it say?
If the IEP provides for time in the general education setting, that placement shouldn’t simply be changed because the school wants to start the year differently.
Ask your child’s teacher where your child is spending the school day and whether the schedule matches what is written in the IEP.
2. Have related services started?
By the third week of school, parents should also know whether their child is receiving the related services listed in the IEP.
That may include:
- Speech-language therapy
- Occupational therapy (OT)
- Physical therapy (PT)
- Counseling or other related services
Don’t assume services have started just because they are written in the IEP.
Ask.
A simple email can say:
“Can you please let me know when my child’s related services began this school year and what days/times they are currently being provided?”
3. Florida parents have an important new protection under HB 1279
This school year, Florida families also have a new law they should know about.
House Bill 1279, which became effective July 1, 2026, added very clear requirements regarding missed IEP related services.
If a related service identified in your child’s IEP is not provided as scheduled, the school district must:
✅ Notify you in writing or electronically within 10 school days.
✅ Explain why the service was not provided.
✅ Discuss a plan for make-up services.
This matters.
Parents should not have to discover months later that their child missed weeks of speech, OT, PT or another related service.
You can read the official Florida law here:
CS/CS/HB 1279 — Education
4. You can ask for service logs and progress notes
HB 1279 also makes another important parent right very clear. (These were always rights you had)
Parents and guardians have the right to request their child’s service provider logs or progress notes.
The law says parents have the right to access those records, upon request, within 15 school days after the service is provided.
Schools must also inform parents about this right at each IEP meeting.
So if you aren’t sure whether your child is receiving speech, OT, PT or another related service, you don’t have to rely only on verbal assurances.
Ask for the records.
For example:
“I am requesting copies of all related-service provider logs and progress notes for my child for the current school year pursuant to HB 1279.”
5. Are the accommodations actually being provided?
Related services aren’t the only thing to check.
Take out your child’s IEP and look at the accommodations.
Does your child receive things like:
- Extended time?
- Small-group testing?
- Frequent breaks?
- Preferential seating?
- Assistive technology?
- Visual supports?
- Behavior supports?
- Modified assignments?
- Communication supports?
Then ask yourself: Is this actually happening?
If your child is able to inform you about what happens in school, ask them too. You might be surprised by what they tell you.
6. How is your child doing?
Finally, don’t just look at services and paperwork.
Look at your child.
Are they coming home happy? Exhausted? Frustrated? Dysregulated? Are you seeing behaviors you didn’t see over the summer? Are they saying they don’t want to go to school?
Not every difficult day means something is wrong at school. But changes in behavior can be information.
Pay attention to patterns and communicate with the school early.
Don’t wait until the first report card
One of the biggest mistakes parents can make is waiting until October or November to find out whether the IEP has been followed.
You don’t need to go into the school looking for a fight.
You just need to ask questions.
Is my child where the IEP says they should be?
Are the services happening?
Are the accommodations being provided?
Is my child making progress?
If the answer to one of those questions is no—or you can’t get an answer—start documenting your concerns in writing.
The third week of school is a great time to do an IEP checkup.
Because an IEP isn’t just a document created at a meeting.
It’s the plan your child should be receiving every school day.
If you need help, reach out – staceyhoaglund@gmail.com