What happens to my child's IEP when we move schools?

Quick answer

If your child has an IEP and changes schools, the new school must provide comparable services right away. When you move to a new district, the receiving district must implement the existing IEP or adopt it and must hold an IEP meeting within a reasonable time, generally within 30 school days, to review and revise the plan. You do not lose eligibility or services because of a move.

What this means for parents

School moves are common and IDEA anticipates them. The goal is no gap in services while the new team gets up to speed.

• Within the same district, a new school should receive the current IEP and begin services without waiting for a new meeting, unless you or the team agree changes are needed.
• When you move to a new district, the new district must provide FAPE immediately, which usually means implementing the old IEP as written until it conducts its own review.
• The new district may conduct its own evaluation before adopting the IEP, but it cannot delay all services while waiting if the child already has an active IEP.
• You should request records transfer promptly: IEP, evaluations, progress reports, behavior plans, and related service notes.
• If services differ at the new school, document what is missing and request an IEP meeting to align the plan with your child's needs.
• McKinney-Vento protections apply separately if your child is experiencing homelessness, including immediate enrollment even without full records.

Questions when your child changes schools

Ask these as soon as you know about the move, not after services have already lapsed.

1. What is the date of my child's last day at the current school and first day at the new school?
2. Please transfer my child's complete special education file, including IEP, evaluations, BIP, and service logs, to [new school / new district].
3. What comparable services will begin on the first day at the new school?
4. When will the new IEP team meet to review and revise the IEP, and who will attend?
5. If the new school cannot staff a listed service, what interim plan will provide FAPE until it can?

Simple parent script

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the new school will automatically know about the IEP without you notifying both schools and the district special education office.
• Waiting weeks for a new evaluation before asking for comparable services under the existing IEP.
• Not getting a copy of records before leaving the old district.
• Accepting a long gap in speech, OT, or counseling because the new school 'does not have someone yet.'
• Forgetting to update the IEP address, contact information, and transportation details after a move.

When to get more help

Consider getting help when the new school refuses to implement the existing IEP, services lapse for more than a few days, the new district wants to re-evaluate before providing any services, or you moved because of a dispute and need stay-put or transfer guidance.