Moving with an IEP: changing schools or states
Moving is stressful enough without worrying that your child's services will stop. Federal law covers this: when a child with an IEP changes school districts during the school year, the new school can't simply start over from nothing.
Moving within the same state
If you move to a new district in the same state and enroll during the school year, the new district, in consultation with you, must provide your child a free appropriate public education, including services comparable to those in the old IEP. That continues until the new district either:
- adopts the old IEP, or
- develops and puts in place a new IEP that meets federal requirements.
Moving to a different state
If you move to another state during the school year, the new district must also provide comparable services, in consultation with you, until it:
- conducts an evaluation, if it decides one is needed, and
- develops and puts in place a new IEP, if appropriate.
A new evaluation generally requires your written consent before it starts. States set some of their own rules, so ask the new district how it handles transfers.
Records
The new school must take reasonable steps to promptly get your child's records, including the IEP and supporting documents, and the old school must respond promptly. Schools can share these records with each other for a transfer without your written consent.
What to do before and after you move
- Get copies of the current IEP, recent evaluations, and progress reports before you leave.
- Give the new school a copy when you enroll, even though it will request records too.
- Ask in writing which services your child will receive in the meantime and when they start.
- Ask when the new team plans to meet to adopt the IEP or write a new one.
- If a service is cut or refused, ask for prior written notice, and contact your new state's Parent Training and Information Center for free help.
Know exactly what the current IEP provides
Upload your child's IEP for a plain-English breakdown of every service and accommodation, so you can tell the new school what your child was getting. Free to start.
Upload your child's IEP →Sources
- 34 CFR 300.323: When IEPs must be in effect
- 34 CFR 300.300: Parental consent
- 34 CFR 99.31: Disclosure of education records without consent (FERPA)
- U.S. Department of Education: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)