Planning now for back to school
A Little Prep Now Will Save a Lot of Stress Later
Your end-of-school-year checklist and why summer is the perfect time to get ahead for fall.
As the end of the school year approaches, most parents of kids with disabilities feel one of two things: relief or dread. Often both at once. But this window, right now, is actually one of the most powerful opportunities you have all year.
Whether your child receives services under an IEP, a 504 plan, or any other support structure, the weeks surrounding the end of the school year are packed with important moments. Annual reviews are happening. Evaluations are wrapping up. Teachers who know your child are still accessible. Data is fresh. If you have ever felt like September came too fast and you were playing catch-up from day one, this guide is for you.
You do not have to do everything on this list. Think of it as a menu. Pick what applies to your family, and let go of the rest.
Step 1
Get everything in writing before school ends
The last weeks of school are a documentation goldmine, if you know what to ask for. Before your child's final day, make sure you have current copies of everything that will travel with them into next year.
Documents to request before school lets out
Current IEP or 504 plan (including all amendments made this year)
Progress reports and end-of-year goal summaries
Evaluations or re-evaluations completed this school year
Behavior intervention plans or safety plans, if applicable
ESY (extended school year) eligibility determination, in writing
Contact information for next year's case manager or team (if known)
Keep a digital backup of everything. A simple folder in your email, Google Drive, or even a photo album on your phone is enough. You would be amazed how often schools claim paperwork was sent home and how often parents cannot find it in September when they need it most.
Step 2
Request your end-of-year IEP meeting
Many families wait until August to address concerns about the coming school year. But by then, rosters are set, services are scheduled, and making changes becomes an uphill battle. If your child's annual IEP meeting has not happened yet, or if you have concerns about the current plan, now is the time to request a meeting.
You have the right to request an IEP meeting at any time, in writing. Schools are required to respond. A brief email stating "I am requesting an IEP team meeting to discuss [specific concern]" creates a paper trail and starts the clock on the school's response obligation.
Step 3
Have a real conversation with your child's current teacher
This one feels obvious, but many parents skip it. Before the end of the year, ask for 15 minutes, in person, by phone, or even by email, with your child's primary teacher or case manager. The specific questions matter more than the format.
Questions worth asking before summer
"What made the biggest difference for my child this year?"
"What would you tell next year's teacher that is not in the IEP?"
"Where do you see regression risk over the summer?"
"What should we be working on at home to maintain progress?"
"Is there anything you observed this year that parents should know about?"
Teachers often know things that never make it into official documents: the particular seating arrangement that finally worked, the peer who helped your child flourish, the time of day when everything falls apart. This informal knowledge is gold, and it disappears the moment the school year ends.
Step 4
Plan for extended school year (ESY) and summer services proactively
If your child qualifies for ESY services, confirm the logistics now: dates, transportation, location, and which services will be provided. Do not assume last year's plan rolls over automatically.
If your child does not qualify for ESY, or if you are supplementing, summer is a critical window for maintaining skills. Talk to your child's therapists, tutors, or support providers now while everyone is still reachable and schedules are open. Finding a speech therapist in June is much easier than finding one in August.
A quick note on regression: children with disabilities often experience skill regression over summer breaks, and it can take weeks of the new school year just to get back to where they were in June. Any structured activity, even informal, that maintains skills in reading, communication, daily living, or social interaction pays dividends in September.
Step 5
Use summer to do the things September never allows
September is chaos. If there is a private evaluation you have been putting off, a second opinion you have been considering, or an outside therapist you have been meaning to consult, summer is your window. Waitlists are long. Processing takes time. Decisions you make now can be ready to present to the IEP team in the fall.
Summer planning actions that pay off in fall
Schedule private evaluations (neuropsych, OT, speech, etc.) now
Research placement options if a change may be needed
Connect with your district's special education parent advisory group
Review the IEP you will bring into fall: are the goals measurable? Ambitious?
Write down your own goals and priorities as a parent before you forget
Find an educational advocate if last year left you feeling unheard
Step 6
Introduce your child to the new year before it starts
For many kids with disabilities, transitions are hard. The first week of school is often the hardest week of the year, not because of academic demands, but because everything is unfamiliar. You can reduce that stress significantly with a little summer groundwork.
Many schools will allow a summer visit to see the new classroom or meet the new teacher before the year begins, especially for students with IEPs or 504 plans. Request one. It does not need to be long. Even 20 minutes in the new space can make a meaningful difference in how your child walks through the door on day one.
Create social stories if your child uses them. Review what the routine will look like. Talk about it casually and often over summer. Normalize the change before it happens.
You are your child's most consistent advocate and the only one who will be on their team every year. The school year has a rhythm, and the families who navigate it most effectively are almost always the ones who do a little work now, in the in-between moments, so they are not scrambling when it matters most. Need help? Ask me :)