There are three things smart parents do for successful IEP meetings. Often, parents walk into IEP meetings feeling scared, unheard, or overwhelmed. They may also feel unsure of how to properly advocate for their children. The fact that IEP documents are often full of small print and educational jargon adds to the feelings of discomfort. IEP meetings matter because those meetings guide a child’s educational journey for the next year. When parents are able to show up feeling prepared, confident, and ready to collaborate they are able to achieve better educational outcomes for their children.
In my work with parents and educators, I see the same struggles show up over and over again. Parents feel rushed, unsure, and out of place. In this article, I share the process I use to help families walk into IEP meetings feeling prepared, confident, and ready to advocate for their children.
Defining the Problem
The desire to have successful IEP meetings brings out emotional and logistical challenges for parents. These challenges include:
- Unclear communication
- Rushed timelines
- Confusing documents
- Feeling outnumbered
Parents who are not professional educators often feel at a disadvantage because the notices about IEP meetings and the documents themselves are written in a language with which parents are not familiar. In many states, there are laws that govern when IEP meetings must take place. Many parents work during school hours and thus it becomes difficult to schedule IIEP meetings which leads to rushed timelines. The use of educational terminology and jargon means that the documents are often confusing to the average parent. Finally, parents are outnumbered at IEP meetings where regular education teachers, special education teachers, counselors, and school psychologists all attend the typical IEP meeting.
These challenges can lead to things like missed services, vague goals or plans that do not adequately reflect a child’s needs. Parents who experience these feelings are not imagining things. Even for seasoned parents and educators, IEP meetings can be intimidating. In other words, these feelings and challenges are common. They are real. They are normal.
3 Things Smart Parents Do To Have Successful IEP Meetings
There are three things smart parents can do to have successful IEP meetings. These three things are:
- Prepare a clear parent statement before the meeting.
- Treat the draft IEP document like a contract.
- Plan time for advocacy, not just attendance.
Prepare a clear parent statement before the meeting.
When preparing for the IEP meeting, parents should write a short, focused statement that summarizes their child’s strengths, current challenges, and their top priorities for the upcoming year. These statements work because they provide parents with anchors for the meeting. The statement sets the tone and ensures that parental perspectives and concerns are heard at the meeting before everyone dives into the data. It is important to note that the parents’ statement can be something simple like: “Jennifer is a curious 5th grader who loves technology and learns best with hands on instruction. Our priority for the year is to improve her reading fluency and ensure she has consistent support when working independently.
Treat the draft IEP document like a contract.
Parents should make sure they are in possession of the draft IEP document at least 5 days before the meeting date. This will enable parents to give the document a thorough review. This means to read the document line by line. When parents do this, they should highlight any unclear language, make notes on the document to identify missing supports, outdated information, or vague goals. This works because the draft IEP document is where the school part of the IEP team wants to start. Parents are the other part of the IEP team and when they review the draft IEP early, they can walk into the meeting with well thought out questions, specific revisions, and a clarity that yields better results than reacting in real time. For example, a goal in the draft may be “improve writing skills” without any specifications for how improvement will be measured. A parent can flag comments like this and ask for the goal to be amended so it is specific, measurable, applicable, realistic, and time bound.
Plan time for advocacy, not just attendance.
It is important for parents to understand that in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for their children, they need to recognize that the IEP meeting is not a one and done event. Indeed, it is part of parent advocacy. Parents need to specifically set aside time to review the draft IEP document, organize questions, and prepare their child for what is to come. If parents get a copy of the draft IEP document in advance, they can spend 30 minutes per night reviewing a portion. This will help them avoid becoming overwhelmed by the entire process. Whenever possible, parents should not attend the IEP meeting alone. They can attend with a partner, advocate or even a trusted friend. IEP meetings vary in length depending upon the state where the meeting takes place. These practices will enable parents to show up to the IEP meeting calm, organized, and ready to collaborate.
Common Mistakes or Misconceptions on the Road to Successful IEP Meetings
It is a mistake for parents to believe that the draft IEP document they receive before the IEP meeting is the final document. It is a starting point for the IEP meeting. Parents have a right to have their needs and desires reflected in the final IEP document. It is a mistake for parents to assume that the school team will include all the services needed. Often, the school team needs parents to help fill in the blanks about other services that will be needed. A third mistake parents make is thinking they have to be educational experts to be good advocates for their children. They do not. What they need is clarity, preparation, and confidence in the knowledge that they are part of the IEP team.
What Successful IEP Meetings Looks Like
An IEP meeting is successful when parents walk into the meeting with a clear parent statement that centers their child’s needs. The meeting is successful when the school team listens, responds, and collaborates with parents. This goal is easier to achieve when parents, due to their prior preparation, walk in with a confident, organized tone.
An IEP meeting is successful when parents are able to ask targeted questions, request revisions to the draft IEP document, and parents leave the meeting feeling empowered because they participated in the meeting with preparation and purpose.
CTA (Call to Action)
Parents who are preparing to attend an IEP meeting should book a consultation meeting with us for help reviewing their draft IEP meeting or preparing for an upcoming IEP meeting. Please click here to schedule your consultation.
Further Reading
The Best Educators Strive to Create Equity-Centered Classrooms
Unlock Your Doctoral Success: Coaching & Resources That Work
Adapting a Miracle Morning Routine for Educators
About the Author
Dr. Janeane Davis is Founder and Principal Consultant at Janeane Davis and Associates: Educational Consultants. Her mornings begin with movement, meaning, and a well-lit desk where rituals become roadmaps. She writes to help educators build mornings that nourish their mission and sustain their momentum.
Sunrise near. Pages open. Always becoming.
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