IEP Meetings: Tips & Advice (From A Team Member)

"There is no more powerful advocate than a parent armed with information and options."

                                                                                                                                               -Rod Paige

10 Tips for Parents of Children with IEP's

1.  Come prepared to the IEP meeting with questions.
Even if you are an IEP meeting veteran, the number of people at the table can be overwhelming. The team should give you an opportunity, as the meeting begins, to share your desired outcomes including any questions needing to be answered.  

2.  Spend adequate time reviewing progress towards the current goal.
Often times teams will gloss over progress towards the current goals, to discuss the plan for the following year.  Ask to see the data points, and see if the goal was achieved. Also, determine if it was achieved consistently, or just one time.  If it wasn't achieved, don't be shy to ask about possible barriers and solutions.

3.  Ask for specifics regarding the curriculum that will be used to reach benchmarks and goals.
Measurable goals are a legal mandate; however, the path to their achievement is at the discretion of teachers and schools. Learn about the curriculum being used.  Understand what specific skills will be targeted.  

4.  Weigh the pros and cons of additional instruction that takes place during other content areas.
More isn't always better. Yes, additional reading or math instruction is not only part of the RTI process, but necessary for tier II and III students to make progress. Consider what will be missed during that time. If it is a special area class, that your child enjoys, or is skilled at, perhaps another arrangement can be worked out.

5. Address access to assistive technology inside and outside of school.
Technology is all around us.  Some schools have graduated to 1:1 classrooms. In any event, ask about software or apps that can help your child with reading, homework completion, or organization.

6.  Ask for peer comparison data. 
While your child reaching his/her individualized goal is a celebration, it's important not to lose sight of the big picture.  Be sure to inquire and understand how the goal relates to the general population. The goal of special education is for students to get consistently into Tier II (11-25%) or Tier I (>25%).

7.  Eligibility decisions are made using RTI data, but don't be afraid to request formal assessments.
Response to intervention is a federal mandate, and requires the use of a discrepancy model to determine eligibility for special education. As a result, many schools no longer do full psychological evaluations. While this is the case, teams have the discretion to complete rating scales and other formal assessments. If you have a question regarding your child's memory, processing, or intellectual abilities, don't hesitate to request some type of assessment.

8.  Sometimes it's helpful to bring an additional set of ears.
As a member of the school team, I will be honest that it makes us a little jumpy when parents bring outside providers or supports. Despite this feeling, I think it's in the entire team's best interest to have someone else there to make sure parents understand what is being proposed, and keep the team on their toes.

9.  Remember an IEP is a working document.
Nothing is written in stone. At any point in time, you can call an IEP meeting, or amendments can be made over the phone.  Your child will grow and change; thus, so will his/her needs.

10.  Speak Up.  
In so many situations, parents will often just nod their heads in agreement. If something is confusing, or the team is moving too fast, speak up! We sit in hundreds of meetings, and the language of education is second nature; thus, we forget our audience doesn't have the same background knowledge.