09/07/2026
📌 ADVOCACY TIP: Accurate documentation matters.
If an incident happens at school, parents should pay attention to what is documented — AND what is left out.
A report shouldn’t only say:
“Student hit.”
“Student bit.”
“Student threw items.”
“Student became aggressive.”
What happened before, during, and after the behavior matters too.
Was the student receiving the supports required by their IEP?
Was their 1:1 support available?
Were accommodations being implemented?
What triggered the behavior?
What interventions were attempted?
Were staffing or environmental factors involved?
Documentation should tell the whole story, not just document the child’s reaction.
Why does this matter? Because these records can later be reviewed during IEP meetings, behavior assessments, manifestation determinations, placement discussions, evaluations, or disputes.
If something is inaccurate or important context is missing, address it in writing. Ask for clarification or correction and keep a copy of your communication.
And remember: documenting a child’s behavior is appropriate.
Documenting the child’s behavior while leaving out relevant circumstances surrounding that behavior is not the same thing as documenting the full incident.
✨ Accurate documentation protects the integrity of the record and helps the IEP team make decisions based on complete information.
