IEP Meeting Prep Checklist
1) Before the Meeting
- Review documents: Last IEP, progress reports, report cards, behavior notes, evaluation data.
- Organize concerns: Write your top 3–5 priorities (academic, behavioral, social, services).
- Confirm attendees: Gen ed teacher, special ed teacher, administrator, evaluator, and you.
- Invite support: Consider bringing a spouse/friend or a special education advocate to take notes and help you process.
- Prepare questions: e.g., “How will progress be measured?”, “What supports are available in the classroom?”, “How often will services occur?”
- Submit a parent concerns letter (optional): Email it to the team a day or two before so it’s in the record.
Tip: Put everything in a binder or shared Google Drive folder so you can find it during the meeting.
2) During the Meeting
- Take detailed notes (or ask the person you bring to do it).
- Ask for plain English: You’re an equal team member—pause jargon and restate decisions clearly.
- Check goals: Goals should be specific, measurable, and tied to your child’s needs.
- Review services & accommodations: Frequency, duration, location, and who provides them should be spelled out.
- Don’t rush: If time runs short, request a follow-up meeting to finish.
3) After the Meeting
- Request copies: Final IEP and Prior Written Notice (PWN).
- Verify accuracy: Make sure all agreements made in the meeting are reflected in the IEP.
- Track progress: Schools report progress toward goals at least as often as report cards—mark your calendar.
- Follow up in writing: Send a short email summarizing your understanding and any open items.
- Keep everything together: File the new IEP, your notes, and communications in your binder.
4) Pro Tips
- Bring a printed agenda of your top concerns—check them off as you cover them.
- Ask “how” and “when” for every service or accommodation: How will progress be measured? When will I be updated?
- If you’re overwhelmed, you don’t have to sign immediately. You can review the IEP before consenting.
5) Our Recommendation: Consider an Advocate
The process can be stressful. Many Baldwin County parents work with a special education advocate who knows IDEA, Alabama rules, and local practices. Advocates help you prep, review data, and ensure your child’s rights are respected.
We maintain a parent-recommended list of local and state advocates (compiled from Baldwin County families). View the advocates list (coming soon).
6) Downloadable Prep Tools (Coming Soon)
- Parent Concerns Letter Template
- Meeting Notes Page
- Accommodation Checklist