This is a summary of the third edition of CSNLG’s Beginner’s Guide to the IEP. In this podcast, host Michael Boll and CSNLG attorney/advocate Linaja Murray discuss what happens during the IEP meeting and what it feels like to be there. The podcast can be found here.

What is the atmosphere like?

• The atmosphere is collaborative — the one purpose of the meeting is to identify the student’s strengths/deficits and how to address each area of concern
• You may be nervous or on edge at the beginning, which is totally normal, as a parent you are likely concerned for your child

Who is there? What are their roles?

• About 12 people will be present, this may include:
  • General education teacher
  • Teachers who assist with your child, such as a special day class teacher and SAI teacher
  • Assessors, such as the school psychologist
• At a triennial IEP meeting, all assessors will be present
  • For some children, assessors may be an occupational therapist or a speech and language pathologist

What should I bring to the IEP meeting?

• Notebook to take notes
• A friend, family member, or someone else who supports you

Assessments should be provided to you in advance

• Request these about ten days before the IEP meeting so you can familiarize yourself with them

What should I take away from the IEP meeting?

• Copies of everything discussed

What is the difference between an annual IEP and a triennial IEP?

• At the triennial IEP meeting there are a lot of assessments to go over such as the psychoeducational assessment
• This will also include ancillary assessments, such as speech and language, OT, visual, audio processing, or behavior assessments depending on your child’s specific needs
• At the annual IEP meeting, these assessments are not necessary — annual IEPs tend to be shorter, with much fewer people involved

What does the process of the IEP meeting look like?

• The IEP meeting is called
• A teacher or district representative will ask to do introductions where each person will give their name and title
• The meeting then starts; an agenda may be followed
• The strengths of the student will be shared
• The progress and goals of the student will be shared and whether goals have been met or not
• Feedback from people in charge of those goals will be shared
• Parents can weigh in to discuss whether they believe goals have been met
• Services and accommodations (such as extra time during testing, preferential seating, behavioral aid) are discussed. This is when FAPE is brought up: special education and related services that your child should be receiving
• As a parent, you should get as much in writing as possible
  • This process tends to be toward the end of the IEP meeting

This summary is part of our complete Beginner’s Guide to the IEP