Heading Back to School: Documenting Summer Regression for IEP Meetings

Maureen Brown from Ask the Advocate writes about Documenting regression after summer break and how to ensure your chid gets the services they require not just during the year but during the summer as well.  

Heading Back to School: Documenting Summer Regression for IEP Meetings

It's critical for parents of special needs children to evaluate whether their kid has regressed in abilities over the summer break. When talking about Extended School Year (ESY) services at the next IEP meeting, this paperwork is essential.

Here's how you can effectively document any regression your child may have experienced over the summer.

Why Documenting Regression Matters

Regression refers to the loss of skills that a child previously acquired. For children with IEPs, tracking regression is particularly important because it helps determine the necessity of ESY services. These services are designed to prevent significant skill loss during extended breaks from school, ensuring that the child doesn't fall too far behind. Please write to your child’s teacher and ask for both their math and reading assessments. Compare results from last year, and if you do not understand the assessments ask for clarification. Do not wait until teacher conferences, get the information now.

How to Document Regression

1. Identify Key Areas to Monitor:

   • Focus on academic skills .

   • Monitor behavior and social skills (e.g., interaction with peers, following instructions). If you child has a behavior intervention plan check with the behavioral consultant on how your child transitioning back to school and if their plan needs to be revised.

   • Track any changes in daily living skills (e.g., dressing, eating, toileting). Inform your child’s team if there was regression at home during the summer. (i.e. They requested to use toliet, and were having accidents)

   • Communications, if your child uses a device to communicate, have they maintained their skills?

2. Use Consistent Measurement Tools:

   • Baseline Data: Before the summer break, note your child's abilities in key areas. This can be done through standardized tests, teacher assessments, or your own observations.

   • Journaling: Keep a daily or weekly journal throughout the summer, noting any difficulties your child faces in tasks they previously mastered.

   • Checklists and Logs: Use specific checklists to track the frequency and success of certain skills. For example, you might log how many times your child successfully completes a math problem or engages in a social interaction.

3. Collect Evidence:

   • Work Samples: Collect samples of your child's work from before and after the summer break. This could include writing assignments, artwork, or worksheets.

   • Video or Audio Recordings: Sometimes, visual or auditory documentation can capture nuances that written notes might miss. Record your child performing tasks they found easy before the summer to see if there's been any decline. Keep these recordings in a google drive and label and document them. Show them during your child’s IEP meeting when discussing regression ad recoupment of skills.

   • Behavior Charts: If your child struggles with behavior, a chart that tracks incidents of specific behaviors can be telling. Compare the frequency of behaviors before, during, and after the summer. Request monthly meeting to discuss behavioral data, goals and progress.

4. Review and Compare:

   • Compare Pre- and Post-Summer Performance: Assess how your child’s current abilities match up with their pre-summer performance. Any decline in performance may indicate regression.

   • Analyze Trends: Look for patterns in the data. Are there specific areas where regression is most evident? This information will be vital during the IEP meeting.

5. Prepare for the IEP Meeting:

   • Organize Documentation: Compile all your notes, work samples, and any other evidence you've collected. Having this organized and ready will make your case for ESY services more compelling. Bullet the areas that you shaw your child’s regression in and have data to back it up do not just rely on the schools data.

   • Communicate Clearly: During the meeting, clearly explain your concerns about regression, using the evidence you've gathered to support your points. Be specific about how the regression affects your child's ability to progress in the curriculum.

Conclusion

Documenting summer regression is an essential step in advocating for your child's educational needs. By carefully monitoring, recording, and comparing their skills, you provide invaluable information that can influence the decision for ESY services. This proactive approach not only supports your child’s learning but also ensures that their educational journey remains on track.

For more detailed strategies and resources on advocating for your child's education, visit our page asktheadvocate.org

Maureen Brown, Is the owner and founder of Ask the Advocate and can work with you to help understand the criteria of extended school year and other factors besides regression.