Important IEP Tips to Remember
- Written request for IEP and appropriate assessments/provide district with your independent assessment
- nclude request that you receive a copy of all assessments 1 week before your IEP meeting
- Call Program Specialist or Director (Confirm receipt of request for IEP and assessment reports)
- Confirm that a district staff member will be facilitating your meeting
- Discuss time restraints (confirm at least a 2 hour time frame)
- Date of IEP (must receive IEP notification with attendees listed)
- Inform district in writing that you will be taping the meeting 24 hours in advance
- Discuss other concerns that you would like addressed (email a copy of your parent agenda to Program Specialist)
- Request that you be provided a copy of the IEP draft 1 week prior to IEP and prepare your goals and objectives along with disclosure of all assessment reports or other information that will be presented at the meeting
- Dress for a business meeting.
- Bring a picture of your child or your child when appropriate
- During introductions at the beginning of the meeting, write down seating arrangement with names and titles of all attendees
- Ask questions when you do not understand their “jargon”
- Request all pertinent information be documented in the IEP (make a note on your agenda of everything that has been agreed upon)
- When the IEP is reviewed, ask that appropriate changes be made immediately
- Only sign in attendance at the meeting, take your IEP home to review and return with signature when everything is documented properly and you are in agreement
- If you are not in agreement, you can sign that you are partially in agreement, send a letter of dissent outlining what portions you are not in agreement and indicating the items you are in agreement, or don’t sign at all.