What is an IEP meeting?

An Individualized Education Program meeting is an annual assembly of a child’s guardians and education services team.

At this meeting, the team comes up with a document describing what the child needs in order to get a free appropriate public education.

1. Reflect & Prepare

Before the IEP meeting, spend some time thinking about successes and concerns that have arisen in the past year. Be able to identify these, but also be prepared to play the tape forward. If there is a concern as a parent, what would you like to see implemented? Is that something that the district is capable of? Be aware of your rights and your child’s rights by researching ahead of time.

2. Drop Your Defenses

It can be tough to discuss your child’s situation, especially if they aren’t hitting goals that have been set in the past or are displaying negative behaviors. But it’s important to enter a meeting with your defenses lowered and trust that the topics discussed are in the best interest of progressing your child forward.

3. Speak Up

While it’s good to enter a meeting with defenses lowered, that doesn’t mean you cannot voice your own appreciations or concerns. As a parent you see so much of the day-to-day pieces of your child that their IEP team may not. You know your child best. You have every right to speak up in a kind and respectful manner.

4. Ask Questions

You are as much a part of the IEP meeting as the education team is. If something is mentioned that requires clarity, ask for it. The meeting should be a back-and-forth of sorts, and you have every right to ask for examples or elaboration on the topics discussed. It’s important for your child’s team and you as parents to be on the same page and have a full understanding of the scenarios.

5. Stay Engaged

Don’t let the IEP meeting be the only time you touch base with your child’s team. Welcome and create an open line of communication throughout the year, even when everything seems to be going well. This allows for both praise and concerns to be brought up as needed rather than all at once.

Share Your Suggestions

Every parent and child has their own experience when it comes to education and IEPs. We’ve been lucky to have an amazing team and positive experiences. Please feel free to share your own experiences and suggestions (the good, the bad, the ugly) in the comments so others can learn!