IEP Meeting
A parent with a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), should together with the IEP team, meet once or more times a year to talk and evaluate the IEP to ensure it suits the children’s requirements. It is crucial to revise the IEP as the child makes improvements or face new encounters, and as technology and institution practices changes. The IEP meeting is attended by a parent and the child’s IEP team, consisting of a universal education teacher, specialist teacher, school district representative, school psychologist, and the child. It is also crucial to invite to the meeting a person who understands the child’s needs, such as a physician. The paper creates the checklist of items to do and bring for the IEP meeting.
Preparation before attending an IEP meeting is necessary to be effective and confident about the child’s concerns. There are five things essential to do in the readiness of the meeting. First, it is necessary to review the records, including the child’s current IEP, report cards, and recent progress reports. They help to identify the child’s achievement and struggles and necessary support. The second thing is inviting a guest to be a friend, relative, or professional who can help in the IEP meeting. It is essential to meet the guests before the meeting to discuss raised concerns and get their views. Also, the need to be prepared If is scheduled to attend.
The third thing is preparing for questions and recommendations after the review and gathering ideas from the guests. Making a simple list is vital to refer to the concerns, questions, and suggestions necessary. The fourth thing is telling the school about my guests and requests to enable the IEP team leader to know the role of guests to the child and make special arrangements if needed, such as having a translator and videoconferencing. The fifth thing is relaxing and reflecting on the child’s issues. It will help in having strength and confidence in the IEP meeting.
During the IEP meeting is essential to do several important tasks. First is talking about the child as a parent since no one in the forum knows more about the child than the guardian. The parent should share the child’s personality, struggles, and strengths to understand their abilities and interests. Second is keeping an open-minded to welcome suggestions from the other team. Third, since special education laws and programs are complicated, it is essential to ask questions for clarification. The fourth thing to do is focus on the team’s outcomes to understand the parent’s expectations and goals to their child. The fifth important thing is speaking for the child’s rights and the parent.
Some of the things to bring to the meeting include an IEP binder, notepad, and pen, advocate or a friend, audio recorder, the current IEP plan, list of questions, progress reports and report card, child’s work samples, notes on strategies working or not working at home, suggested goals, private evaluations to share, reports for recent evaluations, parent-school communication records, school conduct sheet, a letter of parent’s concerns about the child, meeting documents, tissues, water, and a collaborative mindset. Having all the listed items makes a parent prepared and reviewed any needed relevant information concerning the child.
After the IEP meeting, it is vital to send a letter or an email to the case manager to summarize the decisions, questions, and any other issues raised in the meeting. It makes everyone to be updated and plan for the next step. Reviewing and signing the final IEP is done after the meeting, and the only school or district can finalize the drafted IEP. A parent should double-check before signing and retain a copy. Saying thanks is essential to persons who showed support in the meeting to show gratitude. If the child did not attend the meeting, they should know what happened while keeping the age and maturity at mind. If the child attended, ask how they felt and congratulate them on their achievements. Finally, IEP files at home should be updated with a copy of the new IEP, and note and documents from the meeting and be kept in IEP binder.