During the IEP Meeting: Tips for Parents

Experts, advocates, and other parents agree that preparing for the IEP meeting is the key to building a plan that will ensure your child’s success. Knowledge of your child, the school system, and federal and state laws and regulations will empower you to become the advocate your child deserves. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the foundation of your child’s education. Many parents feel overwhelmed and anxious about the IEP meeting, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Below, you will find tips on attending the IEP meeting from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates to help you successfully navigate the Special Education process.

1. Read your Vision/Parent Input Statement to the committee. Ask for your Vision/Parent Input Statement to be included in the present levels.

2. Take notes. Record the meeting if applicable-check your state’s recording laws and district policy on recording meetings.

3. Be an equal partner in the decision-making process. Discuss issues your child has that may affect his or her ability to receive educational benefits in the general education environment.

4. Make sure your child’s IEP goals are SMART-Specific, Measurable, use Action words, Realistic, and Time-Limited. Work to design specific, measurable, ambitious IEP goals-avoid generalized, and unmeasurable goals.

5. Ask questions & seek clarifications if unsure about something including acronyms.

6. Focus on the outcome, not the process.

7. Advocate for your child’s rights respectfully-no name calling or yelling. Congress understood that parents have every reason to advocate vigorously on behalf of their children.

8. Make every attempt to sustain relationships-try to work with and get along with all IEP committee members.

9. Keep an open mind. Listen actively-especially to the items you do not want to hear about your child.

10. Be sure you understand the prior written notice (PWN) provision in IDEA. IDEA states districts must provide the parent with notice whenever the district proposes to initiate a change or refuses to make a change in connection with the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services