An Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting is an important opportunity for parents to advocate for their child’s educational needs.
It brings together teachers, related service specialists, and parents to develop appropriate services, programming and supports to promote meaningful growth and development for their child. Being prepared helps you participate with confidence and work effectively with the school team.
Whether it’s your first IEP meeting or a yearly review, these steps will help you get organized and make the most of the conversation.
1. Review the Current IEP and Progress Reports
Start by reviewing your child’s current IEP, if they have one, along with any recent progress reports.
Familiarize yourself with the goals, services, and accommodations in place. Take note of where progress has been made and identify any goals that might need adjustment.
This knowledge helps you discuss what’s working, what isn’t, and which changes to consider.
2. Gather Documentation
Bring along documents, such as assessments, medical reports, and evaluations.
Include any input from outside providers, like therapists or tutors who work with your child. This documentation gives the team a complete picture of your child’s abilities and challenges, helping to guide decisions during the meeting.
3. Prepare Your Questions and Concerns
Make a list of questions and concerns to address during the meeting.
These might cover services, accommodations, progress, or how new goals will be implemented. Be as specific as possible. For instance, you might ask, “What specialized instruction and instructional or curricular programming will be used to help my child with reading comprehension?”
Having clear questions will help the discussion stay focused.
4. Communicate with the IEP Team Before the Meeting
If possible, reach out to members of the IEP team ahead of time.
Share relevant information, reports, or observations to help the team prepare. You can also request that private professionals—such as a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist—attend the meeting if their input will be helpful for you.
5. Consider Bringing a Special Education Attorney
IEP meetings can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when decisions need to be made.
Consider bringing a Special Education Attorney to help guide the conversation and keep the meeting focused. A Special Education Attorney understands the special education landscape and can provide insight into the programming, services and supports your child is entitled to receive. They also make sure that your child’s rights are upheld, giving you the confidence to speak up and ask for necessary support.
Having a Special Education Attorney in the room provides valuable insight, especially when discussing complex topics.
Preparing for an IEP meeting helps you feel more confident and organized when advocating for your child’s education. Review the current IEP, gather important documentation, plan your questions, communicate with the team ahead of time, and consider bringing a Special Education Attorney to your IEP Meeting.
About Ancel Reiter LLC
Whether through Special Education Legal Representation or Child & Family Advocacy Services, our central goal is to empower parents and their children with the knowledge to find success at school, at home, and in the community. Our legal practice focuses on special education law and related issues in the greater Chicago area: Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County and throughout Illinois.
For more information, contact us today.