Your child's individualized education plan (IEP) is an important component of their care.

Parents may feel that they have little to contribute in an IEP meeting and may see themselves as “amateurs” and school staff as “professionals.” But parents can and should play a vital role in writing their child’s educational program. Parents ARE part of the team and parent feedback, comments, and concerns are important.

IEP Meeting Tips

Here are some tips to help you prepare for and make a positive contribution to your child's IEP meeting:

• Keep a file, binder, or notebook on your child’s educational history. Items to include:
  • Names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons you contact regarding your child, dates of visits and phone calls, and subjects discussed
  • Copies of letters you write and receive regarding your child
  • Copies of IEPs and other school records
  • Copies of tests and evaluations done by the school and by outside mental health specialists
• Review your child’s current or last IEP and see whether goals are being met.
• Gather any school or healthcare records that you are missing and that you need to prepare for the meeting. Examine the records to make sure that there are no inaccuracies.
• Arrange a visit to your child’s classroom and observe your child in the school setting.
• Obtain a copy of your child’s education rights and your rights as a parent and study them. Copies of your rights can be obtained from your child’s school or an advocacy organization. You can also obtain materials on your rights from consumer and parent groups such as The Arc, United Cerebral Palsy, Autism Society, and other groups. Regulations governing special education can be obtained from the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE).
• Talk to another parent who is knowledgeable about special education and parental rights.
• Attend an educational workshop at an advocacy organization to learn advocacy skills.
• Write down your ideas before the IEP meeting:
  • Make a list of things you observe about your child at home: activities, interests, likes and dislikes, responsibilities, and interactions with brothers and sisters. Write down any concerns you have about the way your child acts at home that can be worked on at school.
  • Make a list of things you would like to see in your child’s IEP. Include skills you would like to see your child learn and behaviors you would like to see improve.
  • Make a list of questions you want to ask school professionals about your child’s educational program.
• Ask your child how they feel about their educational program. What would they like to learn next year? What kind of help does your child think they need? Your child may be interested in something specific or have some good ideas.
• Bring someone to the IEP meeting who will offer you moral support and make you feel more comfortable and confident. This person can take notes and discuss the meeting with you.
• Arrive promptly. By being on time, you will demonstrate that you consider this meeting important.
• You are also a professional. Dress appropriately, speak clearly, and maintain eye contact with everyone.
• Stick with the issue at hand— your child’s education. Do not let other issues sidetrack you. Remember you are discussing an IEP to meet your child’s unique needs.
• Treat everyone with respect and consideration and encourage others to do the same.
• If you don’t understand the language, don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation.
• Be flexible enough to accept minor revisions, but firm enough about the issues that you consider major.
• Encourage discussion of these topics.
• You’ve known your child for a long time. If you have discovered hints that help your child learn, share them! Share your discoveries about how your child learns best.

Rather than signing the IEP at the first meeting, bring a copy home and review it. An IEP is a legally binding document, and you should treat it as such. Ask for copies of the evaluations to take home as well so you can make sure that the IEP addresses all that it needs to. Ask for a contact person’s name and number. If you have any questions, call him or her, set up follow-up meetings, and get the answers to your questions.

Once you feel comfortable with the IEP and any needed changes have been made, sign it, copy it, and return it to the school.

If the IEP is not working, ask for a meeting to review the IEP. You can do this at any time.

If your family moves and your child needs to change schools, make sure you give the new school and teacher a copy of your child’s IEP. Some schools may take a while to send a copy of your child’s records to the new school.