You are the expert on your child and an important member of their IEP team. Your input makes a difference in developing an IEP with appropriate supports and services that will help your child make meaningful progress. Taking steps to prepare for an IEP meeting will help you make the most of the meeting.

Gather information

• Read the meeting notice so you know who will be there and what the team is going to talk about.
• Collect any documents that show your child’s strengths and needs.
• Think about what you want for your child in the future.
• List your child’s strengths, needs, and interests so you can share them with the school.
• List your major concerns about your child’s education.
• Consider how you think your child’s disability affects their education.
• Think about what’s working and not working for your child.
• Ask your child what’s going well and what’s not going well.
• Request a written copy of your child’s current evaluation results so you can understand it before the meeting.

Think about the meeting

• Invite your child if it’s appropriate.
• Invite someone else like a spouse, relative, friend, or representative from a local disability organization to go with you if you’d like their support or advice.
• What do you want to happen as a result of the meeting?
• What questions do you want to ask?
• List your priorities and concerns.
• Make a plan to communicate effectively, especially if you think others on the team may disagree with you. How will you help the team think creatively to reach a solution?

Taking these steps can make IEP meetings less stressful and more productive. Remember, you don’t have to agree to anything you’re unsure about during the meeting itself.