Checklist: Keeping Educational Records for Your Child with Blindness or Low Vision

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Keeping complete records of your blind child’s educational documentation is important so you can review your child’s progress over time and share documentation with other educational and medical team members. Among the documents you may want to keep are:

• All draft and final copies of each year’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
• Any amendments to the IFSP or IEP
• Assessment reports
• Any letters or other written communications exchanged between you and professionals, including early intervention staff, school staff, service providers you hire, and medical personnel
• Handouts or signed papers distributed at educational team meetings
• Your notes, including dates, from meetings that you attend with professionals serving your child

The records can be useful in a number of ways:

• They provide a historical record of your child’s educational experience.
• They are there for your reference whenever you need them.
• They help prepare for future educational team meetings, medical appointments, or meetings with adult service agencies.
• If you move or your school can’t locate your child’s records, you have a copy at hand.
• Should there be any differences of opinion about an issue, the records will document any decisions or outcomes.