How to Build an IEP Calendar
That Keeps You Ahead of School Deadlines
by Stephanie Wynn
Have you ever discovered - too late - that your child’s reevaluation deadline already passed? Or found out the school failed to schedule your IEP review on time? Parents in Nevada and Utah tell us this all the time: they felt blindsided, and their child went weeks without critical services.
Missed deadlines aren’t just paperwork mistakes. They mean lost instruction, delayed therapies, and stalled progress. The Wynn Method of Advocacy™ starts by giving parents back control. And the most effective way to regain control is simple: build your own IEP calendar that puts you, not the school, in charge of time.
Step 1: Take Ownership of Every Critical Date
One of the core problems parents face is relying on schools to manage the calendar. Schools have dozens, sometimes hundreds, of IEPs to juggle. That means your child’s deadlines can slip through the cracks. The Wynn Method of Advocacy™ begins with parents owning the timeline.
Request written notices for every scheduled meeting.
Highlight annual IEP reviews and 1-year reevaluation dates in advance.
Track assessment deadlines from the day you sign consent - schools have legal timelines to follow.
When you control the calendar, you prevent the excuse of “we forgot.” Your child’s services stay on track because you’re watching the clock.
Step 2: Build a Calendar System That Works for Your Family
The second problem families face is having dates scattered in different places - a reminder on the fridge, an email buried in an inbox, a note scribbled on paper. Disorganization creates anxiety. The Wynn Method of Advocacy™ emphasizes parent-centered systems that reduce stress and increase confidence.
Pick one main system: Google Calendar, iCal, or a binder with a printed calendar.
Color-code IEP, 504, and evaluation dates for quick reference.
Set reminders two weeks ahead to prepare documents, and another reminder 48 hours before.
With one reliable system, you won’t walk into meetings feeling rushed or unprepared. You’ll walk in knowing you had time to plan, review, and advocate.
Step 3: Use Your Calendar as an Advocacy Tool
Parents often feel outnumbered in IEP meetings. Schools present information, and it can feel like you’re reacting instead of leading. The Wynn Method of Advocacy™ teaches parents to transform tools into leverage. A well-documented calendar isn’t just for you - it’s evidence.
Share key dates with co-parents, caregivers, or your advocate so the burden isn’t only on you.
Email the school reminders of upcoming deadlines to show you’re tracking them.
Bring your calendar to meetings as proof of accountability.
When you use the calendar as documentation, you shift the balance. You’re not just a participant in the process - you’re the one holding the system accountable
Wynn Advocacy Bonus Tip
Parents in our Group Coaching Classes “The Advocacy Accelerator Alliance” receive ready-to-use Nevada and Utah IEP calendar templates with all key deadlines pre-labeled. These templates save hours of setup and give you a proven system to stay ahead.
Final Thought
Missed deadlines aren’t harmless. Every lost week is lost learning, and every overlooked reevaluation keeps your child from the services they need. The Wynn Method of Advocacy™ exists to stop that cycle. By controlling the calendar, you take the first and most powerful step in protecting your child’s progress.
Your Next Step
Start your calendar today by gathering every IEP and 504 deadline. Then, move on to the next article in this series: Organizing Special Education Records: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Guide. Together, these steps form the foundation of The Wynn Method of Advocacy™ that we teach in “The Advocacy Accelerator Alliance”
Disclaimer:
Wynn Advocacy and Stephanie Wynn do not provide legal advice. The information, articles, and resources available on this website are provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal guidance. Viewing or accessing this site, or communicating with Wynn Advocacy through this site, does not create an advocate-client or attorney-client relationship. Every situation is unique, and you should consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific circumstances before making any decisions.
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