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Step 1
Familiarize yourself with special education law. Helpful books, websites and resources are listed below.
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Step 2
Identify your child's individual education needs. Write them down, or type and print them out.
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Step 3
Compose a letter to the members of your IEP team. In the letter, state your child's IEP needs and any changes you are requesting.
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Step 4
Hand-deliver or mail each letter to each member of the IEP team.
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Step 5
Decide if you will advocate for your child or bring someone else in to advocate for you.
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Step 1
Arrive at the IEP meeting at least 15 minutes in advance.
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Step 2
State the child's needs firmly and clearly during the meeting.
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Step 3
Take notes during the IEP meeting. Outline what was said, by whom and the outcome.
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Step 4
Maintain cordial relationships with each team member during the meeting.
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Step 5
Send a follow-up email or letter thanking the IEP team members for their involvement, assuming the IEP goals were met.
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Step 6
Send a follow-up letter outlining the results of the IEP meeting and your reaction to the team's outcome in instances when the IEP goals were not met or an agreement was not achieved.
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Step 7
Determine whether another IEP meeting can solve the disagreement, or move to due process.
