From High School to College: Shifting Roles for Parents of Students with IEPs

The transition from high school to college marks a major milestone—not just for students, but for their parents too. For families of students who had an IEP (Individualized Education Program) in high school, this shift can feel particularly daunting.

In K-12, parents are active team members in the IEP process. They help shape accommodations, attend meetings, and advocate directly on behalf of their child. But in college, the landscape is completely different: students must self-identify, self-advocate, and request accommodations—all without parental involvement.

That doesn’t mean parents are out of the picture. Instead, their role becomes more about coaching from the sidelines: encouraging independence and supporting them emotionally through the ups and downs.

This transition can be tough—especially for parents used to being closely involved in educational decisions. This is why we also work closely with our parents.

Our parents get:

• Help redefining their role with their young adult now that they are in college
• Enough information so they can let go, while honoring student confidentiality
• Weekly updates from their student’s team and a post-semester consultation
• Bi-monthly parent groups for education, guidance, and expectation management
• Monthly parent training on effective communication with their student
• Confidence that their student is getting the highest quality service delivery available

We’re in this together. By empowering students to take the lead, we help build the confidence and self-advocacy skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom.