The Essential IEP Pre-Meeting Checklist You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Seriously, You Do)

home insemination Kit

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” —Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln had a valid point. Do you really want to be figuring out your thoughts while everyone is watching you at the IEP meeting? That’s when I tend to say, “Sure…I guess,” even if I don’t truly mean it. Proper preparation gives you a game plan and boosts your confidence, ensuring your voice is heard. It’s much easier to achieve your goals—whether it’s chopping a tree or having a successful IEP meeting—if you organize your tools beforehand.

Think of this as your pre-IEP meeting checklist:

Request a Draft IEP in Advance

IEPs can be complex legal documents. A quick glance while five professionals are speaking at once isn’t enough to ensure your child is adequately supported. Obtain a copy, take it home, and review it thoroughly. Compare it to last year’s IEP: Are the goals building on one another, or has your child had the same goal with minimal alterations for years? If that’s the case, does the new IEP incorporate different strategies, supports, or interventions to ensure your child can progress towards those goals? Go into the meeting familiar with the document and the individual who prepared it.

Document Your Concerns

You know that section in the IEP for parent input? It’s usually on the second page. Make sure it accurately reflects your thoughts. By typing out your concerns, you can ensure they are included verbatim in the IEP and avoid sugarcoating your feelings (or forgetting something important!) when it’s time to discuss. This is crucial because if a concern of yours (like reading fluency) is not addressed in the IEP with a specific goal, you can reference your concerns later to advocate for including a strategy or goal in the future.

Establish Your Priorities

Treat this as your agenda for the meeting. Identify which issues are non-negotiable and which ones fall into the “nice to have but not essential” category. Understand that your priorities may not align with the school team’s perspective, which often focuses primarily on academic performance. Is it vital for you that your child has stronger social/emotional goals? Make that clear and discuss how improved impulse control, for example, could enhance your child’s performance in school. I’ve found that if you ask for more than you expect, you might just end up receiving what you truly need.

Organize Your Documentation

Papers on papers on papers! Sometimes I feel like I’ve stumbled into a chaotic library rather than my home office. You never know what you might need to reference in an IEP meeting, and having everything organized (or at least in a binder) will help you access information quickly and efficiently—because no one wants an IEP meeting to drag on longer than necessary. Remember that the current IEP team may not be aware of your child’s past successes or challenges, especially if they’ve attended different schools.

Bring Evidence and Examples

If you’re advocating for a specific goal, accommodation, or placement, bring relevant documentation to support your case. This can include notes from doctors or therapists, samples of homework or schoolwork, evaluations, audio or video clips, and any data you’ve collected at home. Keep in mind that the IEP team only sees your child in one context—at school. Providing evidence can help create a more comprehensive understanding of your child’s academic needs, and data is often more persuasive than anecdotes.

Invite Supportive Individuals

While IEP meetings can already be crowded, consider inviting someone from your “home team” who knows your child well. This could be an outside therapist, a board-certified behavior analyst, or a counselor. You might also think about including a representative who can advise on your child’s next steps, such as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or an admissions counselor from a local inclusive college program. If you need additional support, consider an educational advocate or a special education attorney. Be sure to let the school know about any guests who will be attending, as they may need to make preparations.

Prepare Questions and a Notebook

Approach this as a business meeting, where the IEP team is trying to present you with a customized educational program for your child. Use your W’s: Why was a certain strategy chosen? Where will this intervention take place? What assistive technology option is the least restrictive? This demonstrates your investment in the process and your willingness to collaborate. It also shows that you’re serious about your child’s needs and won’t just nod along if something doesn’t feel right. Plus, you’ll gather valuable insights for future meetings.

The IEP process can be challenging, but with careful preparation, you can make it a more productive and collaborative experience. For more information, consider checking out other resources like this one on home insemination.

In summary, being prepared for your IEP meeting can significantly enhance the outcome for your child. From gathering necessary documents and evidence to inviting supportive individuals and asking the right questions, each step contributes to a more effective discussion.