Preparing For An IEP Meeting

Preparation is the key in making your first IEP meeting a successful one. Visit your child's classroom and be familiar with the teacher, aides, therapists, and administrators etc. who work with your child. Be sure to pay close attention to staffing, levels of staff training, teacher/aide ratio per child etc. Pay specific attention to actual school facilities to make sure the building will meet your child's physical need for ramps, bathroom accessibility, etc.

Consult with your child's primary care provider or pediatrician in identifying any medical cares they may need during the school day. Talk with your child's private therapists, counselors, etc. who are familiar with your child and their individual needs regarding recommendations for goals to be met during the school day. Document all of these conversations and request letters of medical necessity from the child's physicians for medical cares to be performed while at school.

Familiarize yourself with the IDEA Act focusing on the IEP section. (Linda recommends reading the education helps under the Resource section at https://sites.ed.gov/idea

Obtain a copy of your School District's Guide to the Individualized Education Plan. Linda also recommends printing a personal copy of the Federal Guide to the Individualized Education Plan to use for comparison.

*Note: Not all School District publications are easily read and understood. Many are abbreviated and difficult to read. Linda has often found that by referencing to a copy of the Federal IEP guide she has been able to clear up misunderstandings and clarify any problem questions that may arise during IEP meetings.

Occasionally Linda has also provided a personal copy of the Federal Guide to all persons in attendance at IEP meetings she attends.

CLICK TO FIND A COPY OF THE FEDERAL "GUIDE TO THE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN".

After doing your initial footwork and reading begin listing questions and concerns you would like to address at your child's IEP meeting. We have provided action forms that will help you begin writing questions, concerns, and possible goals you may wish to discuss during the IEP meeting.