WHAT RECORDS A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SHOULD KEEP

It's critical to keep organized files and/or a notebook about your child's school experiences. Use this checklist as a way to organize your child's school paperwork for important meetings with teachers, counselors, specialists, or administrators.

Once completed, attach this document to the front of your folder or notebook, for quick scanning before meetings.

Hint: It can be helpful to keep records in chronological order.

Items to Keep on File

__ Report cards and progress reports
__ Standardized test scores
__ Evaluation results
__ Medical records related to disability or ability to learn
__ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other official services plans such as 504 plans
__ Awards received by the child
__ Notices of disciplinary actions
__ Notes on your child's behavior or progress
__ Letters or notes to/from the school or teacher, special educators, evaluators, administrators
__ Notices of meetings scheduled
__ Student handbook and policies
__ Attendance records
__ Calendar of meetings
__ Samples of schoolwork
__ Other: ________________________________

In your files or notebook, use a log to keep track of your communications with the school, including:

• Records of meetings and their outcomes
• Dates you sent or received important documents
• Dates you gave the school important information
• Dates of suspension or other disciplinary action
• Notes on telephone conversations (including dates, person with whom you spoke, and a short description of the conversation)

© 2009 The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. All rights reserved. For more information, visit www.LD.org.

More LD Resources

The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides a myriad of useful guides and checklists on their website, including "Visiting a School Worksheet: What to Ask, What to Look For," "IEP Meeting Planner," and an "LD Checklist of Signs and Symptoms."