Guides

What three questions do you have before your IEP meeting starts?

Before the meeting, write down the date and who is coming, your top goals for your child in plain terms, and the documents to bring. IEP meetings are long and crowded, so walking in with your most important goals on paper keeps the conversation on track.

IEP meetings can be long, and depending on your child's care and needs, there could be many school team members discussing many different assessments, goals, and accommodations.

Whether you prepare alone, with your spouse, or with an advocate, writing down the goals you want to accomplish beforehand helps keep you organized and drives the conversation in the right direction during the meeting.

Here are some ideas for what to put on your IEP prep sheet before the meeting starts:

1. Write the date, the time, and who is coming to the meeting.
2. Your goals for the meeting. For example:
   • Reading comprehension, so your child can read a short passage and answer questions about it.
   • Communication, like starting a conversation, taking turns, or asking for help.
   • Self-regulation, a strategy your child can use to calm down when they are frustrated.
3. What documents or reference materials to bring, for example diagnoses, therapy evaluations from outside providers, and last year's IEP.