Additional Parent Tips for Effective IEP Meetings

To make the most of this important meeting you must come prepared to be a team player – a willingness to work together and to listen to all points of view as there are many that may be shared. Create a binder for quick access with your child’s evaluations, observations, notes, and goals. This binder should help you formulate your questions and concerns before the meeting. This is not only a time saver but helps focus on what you would like to see addressed. The binder should include:  A list of your child’s abilities and interests.  Work samples.  Recent medical or education records.  List of questions and concerns.  List of your Goals and Objectives for your child.  Copies of previous IEPs  Any other information that you feel would be helpful to the team. Other tips to ensure a successful IEP meeting are:  The IEP process is meant to be beneficial for your child. It is important to take good notes and make sure your child’s strengths and weaknesses that are presented during the IEP discussion are understood.  Use your child’s present level of functioning to help develop the IEP goals and objectives. Plan for your child’s placement based on these goals.  Be willing to offer appropriate modifications and accommodations.  Ask questions about your parental rights.  Inquire about resources that will help you understand school terminology and special education acronyms.  Ask questions if you don’t understand what is being said.  You may want to assess some of your child’s abilities with his/her present goals in the home environment before going to the IEP. S/he may not be generalizing the skills learned at school.  Remember an IEP meeting can be called at any time and may be reconvened. An IEP is a living document and can be changed.  Develop trust in the process. Remember the goal for everyone at the meeting is to develop the most appropriate educational plan for your child.  Offer suggestions for methods and strategies that work best with your child. Think of long range transition goals as early as elementary school and bring them up during the IEP meeting.  Adding phrases of acknowledgement or thanks go a long way toward future success.