Ever requested to view your child's school records?

I highly recommend parents take the time each school year to make an appointment to go into the school and view your child's entire school records and complete file. This is not something that feels comfortable to do the first or 2nd time, but once you have done this a few times it gets easier to do after that.

Feeling confident in requesting to view records is an important step in learning to be a better advocate for your son or daughter. Knowing that you have a right to request and view your child's records is empowing to know you can do this important advocacy skill. Parents need to feel comfortable in being able to do this, it takes time to feel confortable doing something we never thought we needed to do.

What will you be looking for when you do set up an appointment to view records? You may find a number of things; tests and quizzes you may not have gotten copies of. Test or assessments you weren't even aware were done and the results. Sample class work that shows how well or how not so well your child is or is not progressing in school. Records of when things were done or completed. IEP documents, Psychological reports, Assistive Technolgy, Physical and Occupational Therapy Tech Assist papers and things pertaining to supports and services. All copies of report cards and parent teacher notes...there will be so many pieces of paper you won't believe how much!

There also is a sheet of paper that documents who and why someone was viewing your Child's school records. If this looks like it hasn't been used correctly or at all, don't be afraid to ask someone about it. Anytime someone views those files, they are suppose to 'sign in'.

You can request for copies of anything in your Child's file, if its just a few copies of things the schools are usually pretty good about not charging for just a few copies....but if you are requesting copies of a good number of the papers...the school does have a right to charge a minimum fee for coping. Be prepared to be charged for copies if you are requesting alot of pages from your Child's school file.

How much time is needed to view records? All depends on how big the file is, how much time is being scheduled to assist the parent during this time and depends on what you are looking for, but I don't believe there is any time limit or cap on being able to view records.

When was the last time you took a moment to view your Child's complete school file and educational records? It makes good sense to do this once a year or every two years. It makes better sense that you do this when you are having particular issues or concerns pertaining to our Child's education.

Leave a comment to this post and let me know of your experiences when you have done a records request and wanted to view records. Was it a positive experience? Were you charged for copies, if so how much. Were you rushed when viewing records? Looking forward to hearing from some of you.