Before the meeting
☐ Ask for and Review the Assessment Report – Schools must provide the assessment report at least 2 week days before the meeting. They won’t always do this, so email them about a week prior to the meeting and ask them to send it as soon as they have it. Note this is the assessment, not the IEP. Goals, accommodations, and services will be presented at the IEP meeting itself.
☐ Share That You’ll Record the Meeting – California is a two way recording state which means everyone needs to know you’ll be recording. Districts record their own meetings and are used to parents and advocates recording, as well.
☐ Understand Eligibility Categories – There are 13 eligibility categories under IDEA (e.g., Autism, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/Language Impairment). Be prepared to ask about which category your child qualifies under– and why.
During the meeting
☐ Remember You Are an Equal Team Member – Your input is legally required and valuable. You should feel free to propose specific accommodations, give ideas, and share any concerns you have about your child.
☐ Bring Anyone You Like - You can bring as many people as you like to offer support– therapists, advocates, attorneys, friends, family members, and other educators.
☐ Ask for Clarifications – Don’t agree to anything if you don’t understand it. Some of the language and acronyms can be confusing.
☐ Ensure Goals Are SMART – a SMART IEP goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Make sure the goals fit this criteria and that you have an understanding of who will be measuring them and how they will do so.
☐ Understand Placement Options – Schools must place children in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for their abilities, which is the environment with the LEAST support. You can ask to visit suggested placement options. Placement is different from services (resource minutes, speech therapy, push-in support, etc.)
☐ Don’t Sign Anything At the Meeting – You may feel some pressure to sign the IEP on the spot, but you should always take home the IEP to review. You have two weeks to sign.
After the meeting
☐ Request a Copy of the Final IEP – It must be provided to you.
☐ Lean on Trusted Advisors - You can show anyone the IEP before signing it. Many families ask friends, advocates, therapists, and trusted experts to review.
☐ Know Your Rights – If you disagree, you can request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), mediation, or due process. In these situations, it may make sense to hire an advocate or attorney.
The suggestions and tips provided in this resource are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. They are not exhaustive. I am an advocate, not an attorney.
