As the school year draws to a close, Connecticut parents of children with Individualized Education Programs should take time to review their child’s progress and prepare for the year ahead. The end of the school year offers a critical window to assess whether your child received appropriate services, identify gaps in support, and advocate for necessary changes before fall.
Proactive review now can prevent problems next year and ensure your child continues to receive the education they deserve under federal and Connecticut law.
- Review Progress on Current IEP Goals
Evaluate whether your child made meaningful progress toward the goals outlined in their current IEP. Schools must provide progress reports throughout the year, but the end-of-year review offers a comprehensive look at what was accomplished.
Review each goal carefully. If progress was limited or nonexistent, document this concern. Lack of progress may indicate that the goals were inappropriate, the services were insufficient, or the instruction was ineffective.
Request copies of all progress reports, assessment data, and work samples from the school. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools must provide a free appropriate public education, which means services must be reasonably calculated to enable progress.
- Identify Gaps in Services Provided This Year
Review the services your child was supposed to receive and compare them to what actually occurred. Common service delivery gaps include missed therapy sessions, reduced instructional time, lack of required accommodations, or failure to implement behavioral supports.
Document any gaps you identify. Note dates, specific services that were missed, and the impact on your child’s progress. If services were not provided as written in the IEP, your child may be entitled to compensatory education.
- Prepare for Next Year’s IEP Meeting
The end of the current school year is the ideal time to begin preparing for next year’s annual IEP review. Identify what worked well this year and what did not. Consider whether your child needs different goals, additional services, or changes to their placement or accommodations.
If you believe your child needs updated evaluations, request them now. Connecticut requires schools to complete evaluations within a reasonable timeframe. Requesting them before summer ensures results are available for fall planning.
Prepare questions and concerns in writing before the IEP meeting. This preparation helps ensure you address all important issues and keeps the discussion focused on your child’s needs.
- Document Concerns Before the School Year Ends
Before the school year ends, create a written record of any concerns about your child’s education this year. Document behavioral incidents, communication problems with staff, lack of progress in specific areas, or services that were reduced without proper notice.
Send a written summary of your concerns to the school before the last day of classes. This creates a paper trail and puts the district on notice. Keep copies of all correspondence, emails, and meeting notes.
- Request Extended School Year Services
For some children with disabilities, summer break creates significant regression in skills. Extended School Year services are designed to prevent this loss and must be provided when a child is likely to experience substantial regression that cannot be recouped in a reasonable time.
Connecticut uses a regression and recoupment analysis to determine ESY eligibility. If you believe your child needs ESY services, request them in writing before the school year ends. Many districts make ESY decisions in May or early June, so timing matters.
The Bottom Line
The end of the school year is not the time to wait and hope things improve. Connecticut parents should actively review their child’s IEP progress, document concerns, identify service gaps, and prepare for the year ahead.
If you have concerns about your child’s special education services or need guidance preparing for next year’s IEP, the Law Offices of Charles L. Kurmay can help. Contact us to schedule a consultation and ensure your child receives the education they deserve under federal and Connecticut law.
