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How do I ask my child's school for a reading intervention plan in writing?

Use the free tool — Free Tutoring Finder FL

Why put this in writing

A phone call can be forgotten. A written request creates a record and starts the school's clock. If your child has a reading deficiency, Florida law already gives you specific things you can ask for — you don't have to guess.

What Florida law says the school must do

Under Fla. Stat. 1008.25, a student in kindergarten through 3rd grade — and older students, depending on district policy — with a substantial reading deficiency must be given intensive reading intervention. The school must notify you in writing and give you a read-at-home plan.

• A 3rd grader who scores at the lowest level on the state reading assessment is generally retained, unless a good-cause exemption applies: an alternative assessment, a portfolio, ESOL status with less than two years of instruction, certain exceptional student education (ESE) students, or prior retention.
• Districts must offer a summer reading camp for students who need it.

We don't know your child's actual score, plan, or which exemption might apply — only the school has that data. Ask for it.

What to ask for in your letter

• Your child's current assessment data
• The progress-monitoring plan or intervention plan in writing — what it is, how often it happens, and who provides it
• The read-at-home plan
• Any tutoring or summer reading camp the school offers
• If relevant, the retake or remediation schedule for a required end-of-course exam or the grade-10 ELA assessment
• A meeting, and a written response by a date you name

Keep it dated, and include your child's name, grade, and teacher. Be specific and polite.

If your child is learning English

A student learning English is entitled to language support. A reading deficiency should be distinguished from normal language acquisition — ask the ESOL coordinator directly. For 3rd-grade retention, a good-cause exemption may apply if your child has less than two years of ESOL instruction.

If you suspect a learning difference

You can request, in writing, an evaluation for exceptional student education (ESE) at any time. This starts a process with a deadline. See FDOE's ESE parent resources for how the request works. This is not a diagnosis, and it isn't medical or legal advice — a written request simply asks the school to look.

Other free help while you wait

• Eligible K–5 students with a reading deficiency may qualify for a state-funded New Worlds Reading Scholarship Account (Fla. Stat. 1002.411), which can pay for tutoring, materials and programs. You apply through the scholarship funding organization, not the school.
• Eligible K–5 students can also get free books mailed monthly through the New Worlds Reading Initiative.
• Florida public libraries offer free live online tutoring — ask your branch or check the Florida Electronic Library.

What to do next

This is general information from official sources — it can be wrong, and it is not legal or educational advice. Confirm your child's actual data, plan, and eligibility with the school and each program directly. The free tool can read your own numbers — your child's grade, subject, county, and what the school has already said — and draft the letter and checklist that fit your situation, in English or Spanish. Nothing you type is stored.

Free Tutoring Finder FL explains Florida's academic-support requirements and free tutoring resources in plain language from official sources; it can be wrong, and it is not educational, medical or legal advice. Nothing you type is stored.