If you’ve been handed a caseload with students coming from other schools or states, chances are you’ve opened an IEP and thought: Wait, what is this goal actually measuring?
Welcome to the world of inherited IEPs.
Whether your student moved districts, transferred buildings, or landed with you mid-evaluation, you’re now responsible for implementing a plan you didn’t help write. That’s a big ask—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here’s a peer-to-peer guide to navigating those “new-to-you” IEPs with confidence, care, and just enough structure to keep you (and your students) supported.
1. Start with an IEP Snapshot
Before you try to make sense of every page, zoom out. What do you really need to know on Day 1?
Create a simple one-pager with:
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Service minutes
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Goals and progress report dates
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Accommodations and modifications
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LRE details (general education vs. specially designed instruction pullout times)
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Related services and contact info
Kit Connection: Kit lets you add notes and organize student info in one place—so you’re not flipping through PDFs or sticky notes when it’s time to support or speak up in meetings.
2. Log What You’re Doing—Even If It’s Just “Triage Mode”
If you’re still getting to know a student, that’s okay. What matters most is showing that you’re actively implementing the IEP, even as you ramp up.
Keep quick logs of:
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Services delivered
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Notes on student response or challenges
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Missed minutes (and how you’re making them up)
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Any follow-ups or questions you’ve flagged
Kit Connection: Use Kit’s calendar to track service minutes and record makeups, and record data to show implementation—even when you’re still finding your rhythm.
3. Set Up a Quick Meeting with Teachers
If your student is in general education classrooms, make time to connect with each teacher.
Keep it short and supportive:
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Confirm they’ve reviewed the IEP
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Share accommodations or behavior plans
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Ask what they need from you
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Offer to collaborate early (especially for academics or behavior)
Why this matters: Teachers may be the first to notice gaps or misalignments in the IEP—and their insights can help you tailor support faster.
4. Double Check Dates and Deadlines
Inherited IEPs still come with your name on the compliance clock.
Make sure you’ve got:
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IEP and reevaluation due dates
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Service logs and reporting intervals
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Upcoming annuals (some may be sooner than you think!)
Kit Connection: Add IEP due dates and reminders into Kit’s to-do feature. With built-in templates, you’ll never miss a step—even if you’re managing multiple timelines.
5. Build the Relationship—Not Just the Paper Trail
You may not have written the IEP, but you can still own the relationship. Send a short welcome email to families. Ask students about their interests. Make space for trust before diving into data.
You’d be surprised how much smoother things go when people know you care.
6. Document What You See—Before Making Changes
When an IEP comes from another team, it can be tempting to immediately rewrite goals or adjust placement if something doesn’t feel right. But unless there’s an urgent issue, the best first step is observation and documentation.
If something seems off:
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Track what you’re noticing. Are goals too easy or too difficult? Are accommodations being used effectively?
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Collect current data. Use real sessions and student interactions to build an accurate picture of present performance.
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Hold off on major changes. Don’t rush to undo what a previous team put in place—give the student time to settle in and show what they can do.
This doesn’t mean you ignore red flags—but it does mean you base future IEP changes on your data, not assumptions.
Kit Connection: Use Kit’s instruction and data features to track cues, response levels, and session summaries—so you’ve got clear, visual evidence to support future updates.
Final Thoughts
Inheriting IEPs can be a challenge—but it’s also a chance to make a fresh impact. By focusing on what matters most—relationship, clarity, consistency, and documentation—you’ll not only stay compliant, but you’ll help students get the support they deserve.
Want help staying organized and confident?
Start your free trial of Kit and discover how our tools can support you through every IEP, whether you wrote it or not.