What if the district wants to move my child to a new school and I don't?

If your child needs services, such as modifications to their curriculum that need to be provided by a teacher with a specific credential, the district might move the student to a different campus because the child’s needs can be more easily met there. Although the district can do this, there’s nothing to stop the family from advocating for “portable services.” Special education services ought to be portable and can be brought directly to individual children where they are learning.

If your child’s placement is available only far from your home, parents can call an IEP meeting to explain why the placement at that location isn’t working. For example:

• Your child values attending a neighborhood school more than other factors.
• Being far away could impact their friendships with local peers.
• The time spent commuting on the bus each day will be challenging for them.

Parents can also advocate outside of the IEP, meeting with the district special education director or Board of Education members, or speaking at school board meetings. This is particularly effective if other students question why students with developmental disabilities can’t be welcomed at their campus.

For more information, see our full article What to Do If Your Child’s Placement Isn’t Working.