STOP: Don’t Withdraw from School Before Reading This
As a parent, you may reach a point where the public school system feels like it’s failing your child. Despite your best efforts to secure support, services, and accommodations, nothing seems to change. It’s frustrating, overwhelming, and you might feel like your only option is to withdraw your child from school. But before you make that decision, it’s crucial to pause and understand the steps you need to take to protect your child’s rights and your ability to seek additional support—whether that’s through private school tuition or therapies.
At IEP Partner, we know how emotionally and mentally exhausting it can be to battle the system. However, withdrawing your child without fully understanding your rights and options can limit the possibilities available to you later. If you’re at the point where withdrawing feels like the only option, here’s what you need to know before making that decision.
1. Don’t Withdraw Without a Ten-Day Notification Letter
One of the most important things parents often don’t realize is that if you’re considering withdrawing your child to place them in a private school or to seek private therapies, you must provide the district with a ten-day notification letter. This letter informs the school district of your intent to withdraw your child and explains that you are seeking private placement because the public school is not meeting your child’s needs.
Why is this so critical? The ten-day notification letter is your safeguard. By providing the district with this written notice before withdrawing your child, you preserve your right to seek reimbursement for private school tuition or therapies if you decide to pursue due process. Without this notification, you may forfeit the ability to request financial reimbursement from the district for private services.
Tip: If you are considering withdrawing your child, consult with an advocate, or an attorney, before doing so. At IEP Partner, we can help you draft a thorough ten-day notification letter that strengthens your case if you choose to pursue due process.
2. Understand the Risks of Private School in Florida
Before making the decision to place your child in a private school in Florida, it’s essential to understand the risks involved. Unlike public schools, private schools in Florida do not have disability discrimination protections. This means they are not required to accommodate your child’s disability, and they can remove your child from the school without facing legal consequences. What’s more, private schools can accept your scholarship money, expel your child, and still hold you financially responsible for 12 months of tuition, even if your child is no longer attending.
Additionally, your child’s IEP, and all of its legal obligations, do not apply to private schools. Florida’s private schools are not required to provide specialized instruction, differentiated curriculum, or therapies like speech, language, or occupational therapy. If your child needs these supports, you’ll have to find and pay for them separately.
Tip: If you are considering private school as an option, ensure you fully understand the school’s policies regarding disability rights and accommodations, as well as your financial obligations in case things don’t work out as planned.
3. Consider the Due Process Route
If the school is not providing the services, supports, or accommodations your child is entitled to, you have the right to file for due process. This legal option allows you to challenge the school district and seek what your child is owed under the law. A key component of due process is that it opens the door for you to seek private school tuition or therapies if the public school has failed to provide the appropriate services.
Due process can feel intimidating, but it’s a powerful tool for parents who believe the school system is not meeting their child’s needs. This is where having an advocate by your side makes all the difference. At IEP Partner, we work closely with families to ensure they understand their rights, collect the necessary documents, exhaust all other remedies, and then partner with attorneys to maximize their chances of a favorable outcome.
Tip: Don’t wait until you’ve hit a breaking point to explore due process. If you feel that your child’s needs are not being met, start having conversations with an advocate early. We can help you understand when due process is the right step and how to prepare.
4. Explore Alternatives Before Making a Final Decision
Before deciding to withdraw your child, make sure you’ve explored all available alternatives. Sometimes, solutions like requesting additional assessments, adding or adjusting IEP services, or requesting a different school placement within the district can make a significant difference without the need for withdrawal.
Your child’s IEP team has a legal obligation to meet your child’s needs, and there are many ways to work within the system to advocate for more. Requesting an IEP review meeting or reevaluation can sometimes lead to improved goals, services, supports, or accommodations that better support your child.
Tip: If you feel that the school has exhausted all options, ask your advocate about alternative placements within the district or additional services that may be available through specialized programs. We can help guide you through the process to ensure you’re fully informed before making any final decisions.
5. Get Expert Support from IEP Partner
If you’ve reached the point where withdrawing your child feels inevitable, don’t go through this process alone. At IEP Partner, we specialize in helping families navigate the complexities of the special education system. Whether you’re considering due process, seeking private placement, or looking for a way to get your child the services they deserve, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Tip: Contact us before making any major decisions about your child’s education. We can review your options, help you write the ten-day notification letter, and guide you through the due process if that’s the route you choose.
6. The Bottom Line: Don’t Withdraw Without a Plan
Withdrawing your child from school is a major decision that shouldn’t be made without careful consideration. The system can feel overwhelming, but there are legal protections and options available to you—if you take the right steps. Before withdrawing your child, make sure you’ve explored all alternatives, provided a ten-day notification letter, and consulted with an advocate to ensure you’re protecting your child’s rights.
At IEP Partner, we believe every child deserves the best possible education, and we’re committed to helping families like yours find solutions—even when the system feels like it’s working against you.
