This guide provides families with practical information to help them prepare for and navigate school transitions. It explains dyslexia, IEPs, 504 Plans, and the federal protections that apply when a student transfers to a new public school. Families will learn what steps to take before and after a move, when to connect with a new school, and what questions to ask about how dyslexia is identified and how reading instruction and services are provided in the new district.
The guide also helps families organize the information they need to advocate for their child. One of its key tools is the “go binder,” a portable collection of important documents and records, including a student’s current IEP or 504 Plan, evaluation reports, work samples, progress monitoring data, and communication logs. Having these records organized and ready to share can help families communicate their child’s history and needs more clearly and may help reduce delays during the transition.
Families will also find guidance on asking about evidence based literacy instruction and navigating differences in state laws and district practices. The guide highlights common challenges that can arise when students move between schools and states and connects families with military specific and dyslexia focused organizations for additional support.
Moving to a new school does not have to mean starting over. With practical information, organized records, and early communication, families can take action, ask informed questions, and advocate for the support their child needs. This guide offers a starting point for helping families approach school transitions with greater confidence and support their child’s continued reading progress.
