I need help with school

If your child is struggling at school, you do not have to wait for the school to approach you first.

Start by writing down your concerns and asking the school what supports are currently being provided.

Examples might include:

• Learning
• Communication
• Behavior
• Attention
• Social interaction
• Attendance or school refusal
• Sensory needs
• Daily living or functional skills at school
• Safety

Write down a few specific examples.

Depending on your child’s situation, contact the teacher, case manager, counselor, Child Study Team, or appropriate school administrator.

Ask:

• What are you seeing at school?
• What supports are currently being used?
• Is my child making expected progress?
• What data or evaluations do you have?
• What should our next step be?

In New Jersey, a parent can make a written referral requesting an evaluation for special education eligibility.

The referral should explain the concerns about the student’s educational performance and why you believe a disability may be affecting the child’s ability to succeed in the general education setting.

An IEP and a Section 504 Plan are not the same thing.

Which process is appropriate depends on the child’s individual circumstances and educational needs.

IEP vs. 504 Plan: What’s the Difference?

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network provides information, training, and support to New Jersey families navigating special education and other systems.

SPAN: 1-800-654-SPAN (7726)

Save emails, evaluations, notices, IEPs or 504 plans, progress reports, and your own meeting notes in one place. Written records make later conversations much easier.