IEP and Private school

[Christi Blunt]

I have a client in MO who had an evaluation done on her 3 year old. He qualifies for an IEP under Autism. The school district is in the process of writing up the IEP. However, mom will not be sending her son to public school. After the IEP meeting, do we let the school know right then? If so, what is the process and what documents does mom need to sign for this? Mom wants the IEP in place in case the private school does not work out for her son.

[EmilyM]

I think this will likely depend on any state rules, but in my state she wouldn't have to sign anything extra, just enroll in the private school.

It is wise she is getting the IEP for just-in-case.

[JSD24]

An IEP doesn't stay current forever.  If the public school will implement it 6 months from now depends on if things are the same or different.  My advice is to bring the eval & IEP to the private school and work with the school to come up with a plan for them to provide support to this student.  Private schools don't do IEPs but they can write out a service plan.  I've seen private schools use the public school's IEP to do this.  It gets parents & school on the same page.  It also lets the parent know that if a service the child needs like specialized remedial instruction for dyslexia that the private school doesn't offer, the parents know they need an outside person to do this.

[Christi Blunt]

Thank you!