Understanding End-of-Year IEP Deadlines and Why They Matter

The sound of the school year is marching forward, whether we're ready or not!

As a special education advocate (and fellow special needs parent), I've seen it happen countless times. 

Parents sense their child needs support, but they're not sure where to start. 

They research, they worry, they wait for the "right time"—and suddenly, it's May, and another school year has passed without the proper support in place.

Let's hit pause on that scenario, shall we? 

Because March and April represent a critical window of opportunity for your child's educational future.

Why March/April Deadlines Matter (Like, REALLY Matter)

Here's the deal: Schools operate on yearly planning cycles. 

Meaning, by late spring, they're finalizing:

• Staff allocations for next year
• Classroom placements
• Service provider schedules
• Budget distributions for specialized services

When your child isn't already "in the system" with an identified need for services, they aren't factored into these critical planning decisions.

Which translate to if you wait until the end of the school year:

1. Your child might not receive optimal placement for next year
2. Services could be delayed until well into the following school year
3. You'll spend another summer wondering if your child will get what they need

One mom I worked with, Alexis from Arizona, put it perfectly:

"I waited because I thought the school would eventually notice what I was seeing. By the time I took action, my daughter had missed an entire year of support she could have had."

The Ripple Effect of Waiting

Picture this: 

Your child is struggling with reading. 

You wait until May to request evaluations.

Best case scenario? 

Testing happens in late May, but the evaluation team can't meet until the new school year starts. 

Then, if your child qualifies, an IEP must be developed. 

Suddenly, it's October of next year before services actually begin.

That's potentially 7-8 more months of your child:

• Falling further behind academically
• Developing coping mechanisms that might look like "behavior issues"
• Losing confidence in their abilities

I have seen this happen dozens of times every year for 18+ years!!

Which is why I created Jump Start. 

This 3-month program is designed to guide you through the qualification process with clarity and confidence—all with me by your side.

Instead of spending months trying to decipher educational jargon and navigate the system alone.

Jump Start provides:

• A personalized advocacy plan tailored to your child's unique needs
• Expert guidance at qualification meetings (Yes, that's me. I'll be there virtually!)
• Weekly check-ins with me through my private advocacy app
• A clear roadmap for you from evaluation requests to service implementation

As Amy from Missouri shared after completing Jump Start: 

"I knew my daughter needed support, but I didn't know where to start. Courtney helped me navigate the process and get my daughter tested. She even coached me during the actual meeting!"

If you're reading this and thinking:

"This is us. We need to move now," 

You're right. And you don't have to do it alone.

Book a free 15-minute consultation with me before March 14th, and I’ll review your current situation and create an immediate action plan to beat that clock.

Because your child's education can't wait for the school’s "someday." Their someday is now.