What is an IEP meeting?
If your child needs special education, the school will plan a meeting to write the IEP. Your child’s teachers cannot write the IEP on their own. The IEP must be discussed at an IEP meeting. The school must tell you when and where the meeting is and who will be there. If you choose not to attend, the school can still conduct the meeting about your child. If you choose to attend the meeting, the school must make sure you understand the IEP. Schools often write a draft IEP before the meeting. This is fine, but you must get a chance to ask questions, agree or disagree with their suggestions, and make suggestions of your own. Ask for a copy of the school’s draft several days before the meeting. Read the draft. Mark on the draft what you do and do not like. At the meeting, tell the team what you do and do not like. Who is on the IEP team? • Parents You must be invited to all IEP meetings. If you cannot go to the meeting, tell the principal. Ask for a different date. If you refuse to go to th