Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meeting

The purpose of the initial IEP meeting is to review the assessment and determine the child’s eligibility. If the child is eligible, the IEP is developed, and it is implemented upon the parent’s written consent.

The IEP is reviewed at least annually or sooner upon written request by a parent or a teacher.

Preparing for the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meeting
 

• Identify the purpose of the IEP meeting. Have a family conference and set some long-term goals and benchmarks or short-term objectives for your child’s education. (Include strengths, weaknesses/problem areas, functioning levels, and what your child needs to learn.)
• Respond to the IEP notification. Parents are urged to attend! You are expected to be an equal participant along with school personnel in developing, reviewing, or revising your child’s IEP. You may reschedule the meeting to a mutually agreeable alternate time/day.
• Locate important documents regarding your child (school and medical files, including recent assessments) and make sure they are up to date. (Refer to the “Building Your Child’s Home File” section of this handbook.) You have the right to request a copy of your child’s school records to keep in your child’s file at home.
• Write down questions, concerns, and suggestions to take to the meeting.
• You may wish to visit possible program options, prior to the IEP meeting.
• The IEP meeting may be tape recorded, if you notify the team at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

During the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meeting

• Have a positive attitude. Effective problem solving is dependent
• upon sharing common goals regarding the student and open communication between team members.
• Remember that your child is the focus of the IEP process. Involve him/her whenever possible.
• Have goals and benchmarks in mind and let the team know what they are.

After the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meeting

• Review the meeting with your child (if appropriate).
• Maintain communication with your child’s teacher.
• Observe your child’s school program on a regular basis.
• Periodically check the IEP against school work for consistency.
• Monitor homework.
• Evaluate progress.
• Are you receiving periodic reports on progress or problems?
• How is your child progressing?
• Do you think the program is working?
• Are there changes you would like to make? If so, can they be accomplished informally, or do they require a more formal agreement or a new IEP?
• How does your child feel he/she is doing?
• Is your child happy at school?