TRANSFER OF STUDENTS
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Understanding Transferring Students
An eligible individual may move from one school district to another within the state of Iowa or move in or out of the state. When a student transfers districts, it is essential that the new district, previous district, and the student’s family communicate and collaborate to ensure the student’s educational records, including IEPs, are transferred in a timely manner in order for the new district to provide FAPE to the student.
NOTE: Move-in/out involving other countries are handled in the same manner as move-in/out of the state.
When a Student Moves from One Iowa District to Another Iowa District (Including Shelter and Detention Settings)
The new district is responsible for providing a free, appropriate public education ( FAPE) to the student including services comparable to those described in the student’s IEP from the previous district. The new district can implement the IEP as written, amend the existing IEP or develop a new IEP.
Note: When a student is placed in a shelter setting or detention center outside the resident district, the learner’s IEP should be implemented, and FAPE provided upon the student’s arrival. The IEP transfer process must be completed prior to day 11 of their attendance. The transfer process may occur anytime during the initial 10 days of attendance but must occur prior to the 11th day. The student will receive services comparable to what is outlined in the current IEP and progress monitoring will be conducted by the teacher(s) in the shelter setting.
Responsibilities of Previous District:
- Upon request from the new district, send student records, including electronically transferring the IEP. Prior to transferring the IEP, all progress monitoring data should be updated within the IEP.
- Communicate any knowledge of the student’s/family's plans to transfer to the new district.
- Provide additional information as requested to support the implementation of the IEP at the new school.
Responsibilities of New District:
- Consult with parent(s)/family at the point of enrollment to determine if the student has an IEP.
- Request the student’s records, including the request to transfer the IEP, from the previous district.
- Provide FAPE to the student including services comparable to what is outlined in the current IEP.
- Collaborate and communicate with the parent(s)/family to determine if the IEP will be implemented as written, amended, or a new IEP will be developed in a timely manner.
- Provide parent(s)/family with prior written notice documenting the services and supports which the IEP team determined appropriate to meet the student’s needs.
Note: In cases where a student is placed in a shelter or detention center (staffed by and administered through the local AEA), the AEA will have responsibilities for the tasks above. While the AEA will implement the IEPs for students in these shorter term placements, records will not be requested from the previous district.
When a Student Moves in from Out of State to Iowa
The new district is responsible for providing a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to the student including services comparable to those described in the student’s IEP, as well as determining eligibility per Iowa’s Evaluation and Eligibility Standards. The new district may implement an Iowa version of the current IEP as written, amend the existing IEP, or develop a new IEP.
Responsibilities of Iowa District:
- Consult with parent(s)/family at the point of enrollment to determine if the student has an IEP.
- Request the student’s records from the out of state school district.
- Provide FAPE to the student, including services comparable to what is outlined in the most current out of state IEP.
- Review all available information.
- If available information is sufficient to determine that the student is an eligible individual under Iowa Standards and that there is sufficient information to appropriately implement the existing IEP or develop a new one, no reevaluation is required.
- If available information is insufficient to determine if the student continues to be an eligible individual under Iowa Standards or the information is insufficient to appropriately implement the existing IEP, or develop a new IEP, the reevaluation process must be initiated.
- This would include obtaining parental consent by completing the Consent for/Notice Evaluation form.
- Upon completion of the reevaluation, the Iowa IEP team must make an eligibility determination and, if the child is an eligible individual, develop a new IEP.
- The IEP team may determine it necessary to develop and implement an Interim IEP while the reevaluation process is being completed.
- Provide parents with prior written notice documenting the eligibility decision and the services and supports which were determined appropriate to meet the student’s needs by the IEP team.
NOTE: The Iowa IEP team may consider using the ‘move-in IEP’ option when an eligible student moves into an Iowa district from another state shortly before the fall count date. More information is available in the documentation guide.
When a Student Moves from Iowa to Out of State
When a student with an IEP transfers out of Iowa, the IEP team will exit the student from the IowaIDEA IEP system. The parent(s)/family will need to communicate with the new district regarding their student’s eligibility for special education services in Iowa.
Responsibilities of Iowa District:
- Upon request from the out of state district, send the student’s records, including the IEP. Prior to sending the IEP, update all progress monitoring data in the IEP.
- Provide additional information as requested to support the implementation of the IEP.
- Exit the Iowa IEP within the WebIEP system.
NOTE: When a student with an IEP moves out of state, eligibility per Iowa Standards continues. Upon return to an Iowa school, the district, in collaboration with the AEA, must review available information from the out of state district. The IEP team will complete a reevaluation if necessary to develop an Iowa IEP.