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As a tool to help parents receive the
best IEP, the following is a general
check list to be used by a parent in
preparation for an IEP meeting. Legal
advice may be required for specific
circumstances (deadlines for notices may
have statutory requirements).
- Confirm with the school district the
meeting day and time of the IEP, a date
and time that is agreeable to you and
anyone you want to attend the IEP
meeting.
- Provide the school district with
written notice, via mail and fax, that
you will be taping the IEP meeting (at
least 24 hours prior to the IEP meeting
in CA).
- Request in writing, a copy of your
child's entire educational file
(everything!).
- Request in writing that you be
provided with all new assessments, prior
to the IEP meeting (otherwise be
prepared to re-schedule the IEP
meeting).
- Attempt to make an appointment to
observe your child in his/her
classrooms, sometime prior to the IEP
meeting.
- Review all IEPs, all assessments (past
and current); identify comments within
the previous IEPs. Summarize test scores
and trends that support any requests
that you make on behalf of your child.
- Make a written list of your concerns.
- Write down your child's strengths.
- Know what you want in terms of
placement, services and goals and why
you want each item and what objective
and subjective data/information supports
what you want (put all of this in
writing as part of your own confidential
notes). Know your bottom line.
- Be organized. Have copies of all
pertinent documents in a binder
(ideally, at least one binder for IEPs
and another binder for assessments)
- During the IEP meeting, maintain a
positive and "controlling" attitude.
Take a leadership role in the IEP
meeting.
- During the IEP meeting, clearly state
what placement and services you want for
your child (including frequency and
duration). For each request, state the
objective and subjective evidence
supporting your request (e.g.,
observations, assessments, test
results). Make certain that your request
and supporting evidence are referenced
in the IEP notes.
- If during the IEP meeting, someone
states something supporting changing the
IEP in your child's favor, concisely
repeat what was stated and request that
the other person's statement be
reflected in the IEP notes.
- If someone makes a statement during
the IEP meeting that you do not
understand (e.g., is confusing); ask for
clarity.
- Ask questions during the IEP meeting
(for example, how many times did you
observe my child and for how long).
- If during the IEP meeting, someone
states something different from you want
stated, then politely acknowledge the
"opposing" statement and state your
disagreement and why you disagree.
- Discuss how much progress has been
made on goals from the last IEP, which
goals will need to be continued, and
which will need to be modified. Ask for
specific examples of how progress has
been measured on the current IEP.
- Review the IEP before leaving the IEP
meeting, make certain that key concerns
and statements are reflected in the IEP
notes.
- Remember the school district is
generally only responsible for what's
written in the IEP, so make sure that
what is agreed upon is reflected in the
IEP and get a copy before you leave.
- Generally, do not consent to the IEP
until you have had time to review it at
home (treat the IEP as if it is a
binding contract).
- Remember, the power to say No! You can
disagree as to all educational offerings
within an IEP or agree in part and
disagree in part. With very few
exceptions (e.g., by a court order), a
school district cannot unilaterally
change your child's current educational
program without your consent. However,
at this point of a disagreement with a
school district you may want to seek
legal counsel.
For more information regarding special
education legal matters go to:
www.specialeducationattorneyatlaw.com |
