What to do before you send this letter
A strong letter is short because the record does the heavy lifting. Pull the right page, ask one answerable question, and save proof of delivery.
Find the record
FBA report, current BIP, incident reports, discipline records, and behavior data.
Name one answer you need
Ask for a BIP tied to the FBA findings.
Use the template below
Customize the letter with dates, the specific IEP section, and the narrow request before adding extra background.
Review the IEP section first
Use the free IEP review to identify the page, weak wording, or missing record worth referencing in the letter.
"I've sat at over 500 IEP tables."
I'm Mary, a former special education teacher and administrator, a Special Education Advocate, and co-founder of The Advocate Ally with my son, Graham. I left the system to help families directly. I created this special education resource because too many parents feel pressured to accept generic, "cookie-cutter" IEPs.
The guidance below is grounded in the same practical, document-based questions I raise in IEP meetings every day. Use it to ask for clearer, more individualized support for your child.
Mary
Co-founder, The Advocate Ally
Before you send anything: Ground the request in the written record. If you have time, review the IEP section first. If this is urgent, send the narrow written request and save proof of delivery.
Use the letter as a clear request, not a legal threat
Copy the template, replace bracketed details, send it to the teacher, case manager, principal, special education contact, or district office that handles the issue, and save a copy. If the school responds, misses the point, or does not respond, keep that reply with your records before choosing the next step.
Important guardrail
This template is educational information, not legal advice. do not make legal conclusions about MDR, placement, or discipline timelines without local source verification. State rules, forms, timelines, and dispute procedures can vary, so verify current local procedures for urgent or high-stakes decisions.
- Step 1Copy the letter below.
- Step 2Replace bracketed details.
- Step 3Send it to the right school contact.
- Step 4Save the sent copy and attachments.
- Step 5Follow up in writing if needed.
Legal Basis
34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(i) — When behavior impedes learning, the IEP team should review positive behavioral supports.
Before You Send This Letter
The strongest parent letters are calm, specific, and easy to answer. Use the template, but attach only the records that support this request.
Review the FBA findings before asking for the BIP so the plan matches the behavior function.
Identify where the current plan is missing prevention, replacement skills, reinforcement, crisis steps, or data collection.
Ask who will train staff and how fidelity will be monitored.
Evidence to Attach
- FBA report, current BIP, incident reports, discipline records, and behavior data.
- Parent/provider notes about triggers, communication, sensory needs, or replacement skills.
- Examples of strategies that have helped or harmed.
Keep It Narrow
- Ask for a BIP tied to the FBA findings.
- Name the plan elements that need to be added or revised.
- Ask how the team will know whether the BIP is working.
What Not to Say
Avoid: Accusations about why the school made the decision.
Try: Ask what data, records, or team discussion supports the decision.
Avoid: A request that tries to solve every school concern at once.
Try: Separate unrelated issues into short numbered requests or separate emails.
Avoid: The school needs to stop all consequences.
Try: Please develop positive, proactive supports tied to the FBA findings and safety needs.
Use This Letter When
Use this when behavior, discipline, safety, bullying, or MDR records may affect services, placement, or urgent protections. First pull incident reports, removal dates, discipline notices, IEP, FBA, BIP, service records, safety records, and parent input.
Use the right letter
- Use this template when behavior, discipline, safety, bullying, or MDR records may affect services, placement, or urgent protections.
- Use a dispute guide first if you still need to decide whether to request records, a meeting, PWN, complaint, or local help.
- Use an IEP audit/checker first if you cannot yet identify the weak IEP page, missing data, or unclear wording.
- Keep the letter narrow: request the records the team will rely on and ask how safety, behavior supports, and services will be reviewed.
What to Check
- Pull incident reports, removal dates, discipline notices, IEP, FBA, BIP, service records, safety records, and parent input.
- Write down the date range, IEP section, school response, and one missing answer.
- Use the letter to request the records the team will rely on and ask how safety, behavior supports, and services will be reviewed.
Red Flags
- The request relies on a verbal conversation but not the written record.
- The letter asks for a broad remedy before naming the IEP page, date range, or data source.
- The issue may affect services, evaluation, placement, discipline, safety, records, or complaint rights.
- The parent is about to send extra private information that is not needed for this request.
Documents to Gather
- FBA report, current BIP, incident reports, discipline records, and behavior data.
- Parent/provider notes about triggers, communication, sensory needs, or replacement skills.
- Examples of strategies that have helped or harmed.
Sample Finding
The record raises a real concern about behavior, safety, and discipline request, but it does not yet show the specific page, date, data source, and written school response needed for the team to answer safely.
Parent-Safe Sentence
"Please review incident reports, removal dates, discipline notices, IEP, FBA, BIP, service records, safety records, and parent input and confirm in writing how the team will request the records the team will rely on and ask how safety, behavior supports, and services will be reviewed."
The Letter Template
Copy & Customize
Dear [Special Education Director], I am writing to formally request that a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) be developed for my child, [Child's Full Name], based on the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) completed on [Date]. The FBA identified the following functions of my child's behavior: • [Function 1 — e.g., "Escape from non-preferred academic tasks"] • [Function 2 — e.g., "Seeking sensory input during unstructured time"] I am requesting that the BIP include: 1. Specific antecedent strategies to PREVENT the behavior from occurring 2. Replacement behaviors that serve the same function as the problem behavior 3. Consequence strategies that are positive and reinforcement-based (not punitive) 4. A crisis intervention plan for safety if needed 5. Data collection procedures to monitor the plan's effectiveness Please contact me promptly to schedule an IEP meeting to discuss developing the BIP. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Date]
Pro Tips for Using This Letter
A BIP should be proactive, with prevention and replacement-skill strategies rather than only reactive consequences.
The BIP should be based on the FBA findings rather than created in a vacuum.
If the BIP isn't working, it should be revised — not abandoned.
All staff who interact with your child should be trained on the BIP.
What Happens After You Send This Letter
Save a copy of the letter and the delivery confirmation (email receipt or certified mail tracking). This is your evidence trail.
Mark your calendar for the response timeline that applies to this request in your state. If you do not hear back, send a written follow-up referencing the original date.
If they schedule a meeting in response, prepare just like you would for any IEP meeting. Bring a support person and ask for time to review anything you do not understand.
If they refuse or propose a change covered by Prior Written Notice, ask for the notice in writing so the decision and reasons are documented.
Upload your IEP for a free audit before the meeting. The review can flag written gaps and weak language worth discussing.
Not Sure What to Ask For?
A letter is stronger when it points to the written record. Upload your IEP to flag document sections worth referencing and questions worth raising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send this bIP Request letter by email?
Who should I send a BIP Request letter template to?
What should I attach to this bIP Request request?
What if the school does not respond?
Do I need a lawyer to send this letter?
Audit your IEP before sending this letter
Find documented concerns first, then reference the relevant sections in your letter.
Review My IEP