If you have a child with special needs, you may have heard of IEP meetings but this is the first one you’ll attend with your child. You must advocate for your child effectively because not all school administrators and teachers will serve his best interests. Ensure that his teachers understand your child’s condition and how this affects his learning. This knowledge can help administrators develop the best IEP plan that allows your child to achieve his goals.
What Is An IEP Meeting?
An IEP meeting is where you discuss your child’s progress in school and his individual education plan, also known as an IEP. Your child’s IEP includes any accommodations and services that will help your child thrive academically. Some of the people who will be at your child’s IEP meeting are:
- General education teacher
- Special education teacher
- School employees who participated in your child’s school-based evaluation such as occupational therapist or speech therapist
- Principal
- Interpreters if your child speaks a foreign language
During the IEP meeting, your child’s caseworker may discuss your child’s current academic performance, assessment results, concerns from the teacher, and anything else your team members want to add to the meeting. You may also invite your child’s doctor or therapist. Everyone will review your child’s IEP and if you believe there are things in this document that should be changed or removed, you have the right to say so. If changes are made to your child’s IEP, you should take notes and follow up with team members to ensure that those changes are made.
Preparing For Your First IEP Meeting
Here is how to prepare for your first IEP meeting. Start by gathering your child’s evaluation reports, school progress reports, and most recent report cards. Gather your child’s most recent tests and homework assignments as well as any notes from your child’s doctors, specialists, and teachers. Prepare a list of questions that you’ll want to ask team members at the meeting. Write a list of recommendations that can make your child more successful in school.
Purchase a binder because during future IEP meetings, you’ll receive lots of documents. You’ll need to organize these documents for reference at a later time. Research your rights as a parent so you will be informed and ready to defend yourself if the team recommends something you disagree with. You’re supposed to receive a draft of what the IEP meeting will cover before you attend.
Although some teachers’ recommendations are not in your child’s best interests, it’s wise to speak with your child’s teacher before the IEP meeting to get an idea of how your child is doing in his classes and to discuss recommendations that may help him improve. Your child’s teacher wants him to succeed too.
Read the IEP draft thoroughly before the meeting. As you read it, highlight key sections that you want to discuss more in detail during the meeting. Write notes about items in the draft that you disagree with and come up with statements why you disagree. For example, the IEP states that your child doesn’t need accommodations during standardized tests but you believe he should have them because of his attention issues.
What Are My Rights During IEP Meetings?
As the parent, you have the right to request an IEP meeting at any time of the year. You also have the right to invite others to the meeting even if school administrators may not agree with those persons’ perspectives on what is happening with your child or what may work for him. You can review your child’s IEP throughout the year. Your child has the right to receive his accommodations according to his IEP plan. Your child’s teacher cannot refuse his accommodation requests for any reason. You can also reject any services that you feel are not suitable for your child.
How to Set Clear Goals During IEP Meetings
Here is how you can set clear goals during IEP meetings. If you’re concerned about his academic progress in math, you can establish a goal where he is able to complete math assignments and tests with at least 70% accuracy. You may have your child work with a math tutor after school and you’ll give him practice work on the weekends. Maybe you want your child to advocate for himself more at school. One goal can be for him to ask for accommodations in class and to get clarification on certain concepts he’s confused about. Think about what areas of improvement your child has and create goals accordingly.
How To Handle Conflict During IEP Meetings
Sometimes conflict will happen when you attend IEP meetings, and you’ll need to solve them effectively. For example, there are steps to take when your child’s IEP plan isn’t followed. Keep detailed records of all instances when this is happening so you’ll have evidence when it’s time to present your case to the team at the next meeting. Speak with your child’s teacher and discuss the consequences of your child not having the accommodations he needs. Always use a respectful tone with your team and compromise if it will benefit your child.
What If My Child Has Multiple Disabilities?
Start by gathering all of the different diagnoses, treatment plans, and medications that pertain to your child’s disabilities and medical conditions. Write statements that detail how each disability affects your child’s academic progress. During the meeting, inquire about how your child’s IEP plan will address his multiple disabilities and how those accommodations will help him thrive academically. If your child has food aversions or allergies, the IEP plan should include school lunches that are free of the foods that he’s allergic to.
IEP meetings can be daunting, confusing, and frustrating if you don’t know what to expect. With these helpful strategies, you can advocate for your child and have a successful outcome the remainder of the school year.
