End-of-School-Year Tips

. 1. Visit the new classroom or school

Will your child's transition next year be a major one? For example, will your child move from nursery to kindergarten, from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school? Plan to take your child to visit the new school or the new classroom before the first day of school.

2. Review your child's individualized education program and track their progress

Has your child's level progressed this school year? Did the school implement their individualized education program correctly? Does the individualized education program appropriately meet your child's needs? Are your child's goals working to prepare them for continuing education, employment, and independence?

3. Request a meeting with the individualized education program coordinator if necessary

If you answered "no" to any of the questions above, request a meeting with the individualized education program coordinator (a teacher or specialist) to resolve these concerns. Do not let another year pass with an inappropriate individualized education program.

4. Prepare for the individualized education program discussion meeting

Prepare a list of your child's present levels of performance. The list includes your child's strengths and the areas that present a challenge for them. Look carefully at this list and you will better understand what your child needs. Add these needs to the list of present levels of performance. You can also add goals, related services, assistive technology, and anything else your list justifies as an educational need.

5. Thank those who helped you

Was your child's school year wonderful? Was this success due to a wonderful teacher, or a classroom aide? Thank those who helped your child succeed. Look at what made this year good for your child and add that information to your child's list of present levels of performance.

6. Share your information list with the individualized education program coordinator before the meeting

At least one week before the meeting, give a copy of your list to everyone who contributed to preparing the individualized education program, and bring extra copies to the meeting for anyone who forgets to bring their copy. This way, the meeting will be faster and smoother if everyone has your list in advance.

7. Propose the idea of an extended school year for your child

Propose the idea of extending the school year early in the second semester with those who contributed to preparing your child's educational plan if there is a disagreement over whether your child needs it or not.

8. Learn about the summer educational resources available for your child

An extended school year is different from summer school. Summer school is usually a general program not designed to meet your child's individual needs. As for the extended school year program, it aims to meet your child's specific educational needs as outlined in their own program. And make sure you know the services the school provides!

9. Determine whether your child needs a new evaluation

Does your child need new evaluations? Unsure whether your child has made sufficient progress? Pre- and post-tests are sufficient to answer your questions about your child's progress

Adapted translation

Originally published in Arabic. This English version was produced with AI-assisted translation; the Arabic original remains the reference.