The start of a new school year often raises practical questions for co-parents, particularly when it comes to school enrollment, special education services, and access to school records. A well-drafted parenting plan can help avoid conflict, but not every situation is anticipated in advance.
School Enrollment Decisions
Decisions about which school a child attends are generally treated as a major decision under a Washington parenting plan, meaning both parents may need to agree, or the parent with sole decision-making authority on education-related matters may decide. Disputes can arise when parents live in different school districts or disagree about private versus public education, making it important to understand what the parenting plan actually provides. Just note that, generally, changing the child’s school requires a major decision per most Parenting Plans.
Access to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Both parents generally retain the right to access their child's educational records and to participate in matters such as IEP meetings, unless a court has specifically limited one parent's involvement. Schools may require documentation, such as a copy of the parenting plan, to confirm both parents' rights to participate in these processes.
Requesting School Records as a Non-Custodial Parent
Parents sometimes encounter difficulty obtaining school records if they are not the primary residential parent. Washington law generally supports both parents' access to these records unless a court order specifically restricts it. Providing schools with a copy of the current parenting plan can help clarify each parent's rights and reduce administrative friction. In some cases involving domestic violence, this accessibility may be limited, but that is usually spelled out directly in the Parenting Plan.
Coordinating Schedules Around the School Calendar
The start of the school year can also require adjustments to a summer parenting schedule, particularly around school start dates, orientation events, and extracurricular sign-ups. Reviewing the parenting plan each summer, before the school year begins, can help both parents plan ahead and avoid last-minute disputes. Back-to-school season often highlights gaps in a parenting plan that were not obvious when the plan was first created.
At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we help parents throughout Washington resolve school-related custody disputes and update parenting plans as circumstances change. We offer free telephone case evaluations to discuss your situation - call today 425-800-0573
