End-of-Year IEP Reviews: Three Questions That Predict Summer Struggle

Spring ARD meetings are wrapped up, and your child’s IEP is set for next year. But before you breathe easy, there’s one critical conversation left: the end-of-year review. Progress monitoring sometimes stalls in spring, focus shifts to testing and closures, and summer planning gets delayed. Here are three questions that predict whether your child will struggle over the break.

Question 1: “Is My Child Mastering This Year’s Goals, or Just Showing Growth?”

This distinction is critical. A child can show progress on an IEP goal without actually mastering it. For example, a reading goal might state: “Student will decode single-syllable words at 70% accuracy.” If your child is at 65%, that’s progress. But 65% isn’t mastery. Over a two-month summer break without daily instruction, that skill can regress back to 55% or below.

Ask your child’s teacher: “What percentage accuracy or proficiency does my child need to actually master this goal?” Then ask: “At their current pace, will they hit that by summer?” If the answer is no, that’s your signal to consider Extended School Year (ESY) services. ESY keeps the skill warm over the break. Schools don’t always volunteer this information, but it’s available if goals won’t be met by June.

Question 2: “Which Goals Are Most at Risk of Summer Regression?”

Not all skills regress equally. A child who reads at grade level might dip a bit but bounce back quickly. A child with dyslexia who’s just gained decoding confidence? That skill can evaporate over two months without structure. Same with speech goals—articulation and language skills atrophy fast without practice.

Ask the school: “Which of my child’s IEP goals are most vulnerable if practice stops?” Then ask a follow-up: “What can I realistically do at home to maintain these skills?” Honest teachers will give you specific, doable strategies. Poor answers sound like “just keep reading” or “practice is always good”—vague and not helpful.

Write these down. Request them in writing via email if the school isn’t specific — our guide on signs your child’s IEP needs a closer look covers how to spot when the plan itself might be the problem. You’ll need this list for summer planning. If a goal is mission-critical (like communication skills), that’s another ESY indicator. The IRIS Center offers resources on progress monitoring to help you understand what real data looks like.

Question 3: “What Should My Summer Plan Look Like to Prevent Fall Backsliding?”

This is the proactive question—the one most parents don’t ask. By late spring, school staff are tired and focused on end-of-year tasks. But if you ask specifically about summer continuity, you might get real help. Ask:

• “Are there summer programs (within or outside the school district) that support my child’s areas of need?”
• “Can I get a simple practice plan I can follow at home?”
• “Will my child be reassessed in the fall? How will the school measure regression?”

Texas schools aren’t required to provide summer services unless ESY is on the IEP. But they can point you toward resources. Texas Project First provides detailed guidance on extended school year services, including parent-friendly explanations of what ESY covers. You can also ask your school about community programs, therapy centers, or camps that serve children with IEPs.

If your child qualifies for ESY but you’re on the fence, remember: summer loss is real. Research shows children with disabilities regress an average of 30% over summer without support. That’s not fear-mongering—it’s why ESY exists.

Timing Matters: Ask Now, Not Later

The end-of-year ARD might feel like a formality, but it’s your last official conversation with the school before summer. If you have concerns about regression, ask these questions then. Schools are more responsive in spring than in August when they’re ramping up for the new year.

Bring data to the meeting: your child’s progress monitoring reports, grades, and any outside testing results. Ask for written summaries of goals at risk and summer strategies. If ESY is recommended, make sure it’s documented in the IEP amendment before school ends.

Our guide on understanding progress monitoring reports explains what real data should look like—and how to push back when it’s vague.

Summer Doesn’t Have to Mean Stagnation

The gap between spring and fall is real, and it hits hardest on kids with the biggest delays. But it’s not inevitable. Three thoughtful questions—about goal mastery, regression risk, and summer planning—can make the difference between a child who holds ground over summer and one who slips backward. Ask them at your end-of-year meeting. Write down the answers. And then use those answers to build your summer plan.

Ready to dive deeper into IEP planning? Upload your child’s current IEP to AdvocateIQ and get a detailed analysis of how it’s structured, where gaps might exist, and what questions to ask at the next meeting.