The Invisible Backpack Parents Bring to School
Updated: Aug 23
Part 3: Preparing Your Child's IEP Before School Starts
Part 3 of The Invisible Backpack Series
📥 Prefer to save this for later? Download the printable version here.
Because the best time to discover a problem is before the first day of school—not after it.
In Part 1 of The Invisible Backpack Parents Bring to School, we talked about the fear parents carry after difficult school experiences.
In Part 2, we explored the endless cycle of "What if?" questions that often keep parents awake at night.
Now it's time to do something practical.
Because while we can't eliminate every worry before September arrives, we can reduce uncertainty.
One of the most effective ways to lighten the invisible backpack parents carry is to unpack the IEP before school starts.
Not during the first week of school.
Not after the first progress report.
Not after accommodations are forgotten or services are delayed.
Before school begins.
A little preparation in August can prevent a lot of frustration in October.
Why an August IEP Review Matters
Many parents assume that because the IEP was finalized in the spring, everything is ready for September.
Unfortunately, school transitions happen.
Teachers change.
Schedules change.
Providers change.
Students change.
And sometimes the people implementing the IEP weren't even part of the team that developed it.
That's why I encourage families to spend a little time reviewing their child's plan before school starts.
Think of it as a back-to-school checkup.
You're not looking for problems.
You're making sure everyone starts the year with the same roadmap.
Step 1: Review Accommodations
Accommodations are often the first thing parents notice when they're missing.
Maybe your child receives:
Extended time
Preferential seating
Copies of notes
Read-aloud support
Audiobooks
Assistive technology
Breaks during instruction
Reduced distractions
Take a few minutes to ask yourself:
Do these accommodations still match my child's needs?
Is there anything missing?
Are there accommodations that haven't been particularly helpful?
Children grow. Needs change. An accommodation that was essential two years ago may no longer be necessary, while a new challenge may require additional support.
One tool many parents find helpful is the Accommodations & IEP Tracker, which can help you monitor whether accommodations are actually being provided throughout the year.
Step 2: Review Annual Goals
Annual goals are the roadmap for your child's progress.
But many parents aren't entirely sure what the goals mean or how progress will be measured.
As you review your child's IEP, consider:
Do these goals address my child's most significant areas of need?
Are they measurable?
Will I clearly understand whether progress is being made?
How will the school collect and report data?
If goals feel confusing, don't worry. You're not alone. Understanding goals and progress monitoring can make a tremendous difference in your ability to advocate effectively throughout the year.
For a deeper dive, check out The Parent's Guide to IEP Goals & Progress Monitoring, along with my three-part series on writing strong goals, monitoring progress, and asking the right questions.
Step 3: Confirm Services
One of the most common issues I see each fall is confusion about services.
Parents assume services have started.
Schools assume everyone knows the schedule.
Weeks pass before anyone realizes something was missed.
Before school starts, make sure you know:
What services your child should receive
How often they occur
Whether they are delivered individually or in a group
Who will be providing them
You don't need every detail before the first day of school.
You simply need a clear understanding of what should be happening so you can recognize if something isn't.
Keeping a simple Monthly Documentation Log throughout the year can help you track services, communication, and concerns if questions arise later.
Step 4: Establish Teacher Communication Early
One of the easiest ways to start the year positively is to introduce yourself before problems arise.
A brief email can help establish a collaborative relationship and provide important information about your child.
You might share:
Your child's strengths
What helps them learn best
Any important concerns for the upcoming year
Your desire to work together as a team
If you're unsure where to begin, my Introductory Letter to Teacher Template can help you get started.
Remember: teachers are preparing for a new school year too. A positive introduction often sets the tone for productive communication throughout the year.
Step 5: Review Transportation Plans
For some families, transportation is simply how a child gets to school.
For others, transportation is an important support that directly affects access to education.
Before school starts, consider:
Have transportation arrangements been confirmed?
Are any transportation accommodations included in the IEP?
Does the transportation department have the information needed to support your child safely?
A quick review now can prevent stressful surprises on the first day of school.
Step 6: Review Medical and Health Concerns
Back-to-school preparation should also include reviewing any medical, behavioral, or health-related needs.
Ask yourself:
Does the school have updated medical information?
Are medications current?
Are emergency plans in place?
Do the appropriate staff members have the information they need?
Whether your child has allergies, diabetes, anxiety, ADHD, autism, Tourette Syndrome, seizures, or another health condition, making sure information is current can provide peace of mind for everyone involved.
You Don't Have to Carry It All Alone
The goal of reviewing your child's IEP before school starts isn't to become a special education expert.
It's not to search for mistakes.
And it's not to create conflict.
It's simply to reduce uncertainty.
When you understand the accommodations, goals, services, communication plans, transportation supports, and medical considerations in your child's plan, September feels a little less overwhelming.
The invisible backpack parents carry may never be completely empty.
But preparation can make it much lighter.
And sometimes that's enough to help us walk into a new school year carrying not just worry—but confidence, clarity, and hope.
Download Your Back-to-School IEP Preparation Checklist
Feeling overwhelmed by everything that needs to be reviewed before school starts?
I've put the most important steps into one practical resource:
Use it to review accommodations, goals, services, communication plans, transportation needs, and important documentation before the first day of school.
Because the more prepared you feel, the lighter that invisible backpack becomes.
🎒 Coming Next in The Invisible Backpack Parents Bring to School
After we've unpacked the fears, worries, and endless "what ifs," an important question remains:
What should parents carry into a new school year?
Not perfection.
Not certainty.
Not a guarantee that everything will go smoothly.
In Part 4, we'll talk about the things that truly belong in a parent's backpack:
📚 Information
❓ Questions
📝 Documentation
🤝 Support
💙 Hope
Because while we can't control every challenge our children may face, we can make sure we're carrying the tools that help us navigate them.
💙 Advocacy with Heart,
Allison — The IDEA Ally
Helpful add-ons (free tools)
Next Steps and Resources:
The following websites are incredibly helpful when navigating the Special Education world. · www.wrightslaw.com
Need help personalizing your letter or planning next steps? I offer one-on-one support—virtual anywhere in the U.S. and in-person across NY/NJ. Work with me.
About the Author
Allison Rosenberg Meyerson is a special education advocate with 30+ years in the classroom and as a literacy specialist. She is Orton-Gillingham Certified, a COPAA SEAT 1.0 graduate, and a Dyslexia Advocate. Based in Warwick, NY, she supports families across NY, NJ, and virtually nationwide through The IDEA Ally.
Contact:
Website www.TheIDEAAlly.com
Email Allison@theideaally.com
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