How to Know What I Need to About My Child's Annual IEP Meeting

Every child in special education has an annual IEP meeting to review their education plan. This is the special education meetng (in Texas it is called an ARD meeting). It may sound simple, but too often parents leave these meetings frustrated or with questions. These steps will help make sure that you know what should be done at those meetings, you understand exactly what the decisions mean to your child, and you feel like an equal participant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Attend the Special Education IEP meeting.
   Schools are obligated to attempt to hold the meeting at a time when you can be there. If you cannot be there in person, you could ask for it to be rescheduled or you could even attend via conference call. If you cannot be there, read the paperwork from the meeting and request a conference to discuss it if needed. If you disagree with the plan in the paperwork, you can request another meeting.

2. Take a reference of common phrases, words and acronyms that schools tend to use at these meetings. If the school team says anything that you are not absolutely clear on, do not hesitate to ask them to explain what that means.
   IEP -Individualized Education Plan. This is a plan, including specific goals and objectives, that stipulates the what, how, where, etc. of what will be taught over the next calender year.
   Eligibility -this refers to the specific disability or disabilities that a child has been identified with that make them eligible for special education services. This could be LD or SLD (specific learning disability), ED (emotional disturbance), SI (speech/language impairment), AU (Autism or any other Pervasive developmental disorder such as Asperger's, OHI (a health impairment).
   LRE -this means the least restrictive environment. Being in the special education program but being in a general education class all day long would be the least restrictive setting and being removed to a special education class all day long would be the most restrictive.
   ESY -this refers to extended schoolyear services and may be recommended if your child has shown regression or if regression can be anticipated. This could even be regression of social/behavioral/self-care skills for children with autism, ex.

3. Discuss all of the following points at the annual IEP meeting. The school is legally obligated to discuss:
   whether all of the testing is current and if any new testing is needed (in Speech/language, behavior/emotional. intelligence, academic competencies, the need for assistive technology, etc.
   your child's progress and academic mastery
   your child's current competencies, or abilities, in academics, behavior, etc.
   the proposed academic plan for the next year (this may include a behavioral plan) -this should be based on the curriculum that all general education students are learning in that grade year unless that is inappropriate for your child, in which case your child may need an individualized education plan. This will also include any modifications that your child may need to be successful (such as extra teaching supports, communication supports, extra time for their assignments, etc.)
   the least restrictive setting for your child to master that education plan (remember LRE -as close to general education as possible.)
   any related services that may be needed for your child to be successful -this may include speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, etc.
   decisions on state testing needs and on the need for extended year services
   for older children -how they will transition to independent living and employment after high school and what graduation plan they will graduate on.

Tips & Warnings

• You and your school both have your child's best interests at heart but may have different goals and methods to achieve those interests. To be the only parent at a meeting with multiple school personnel can be hard. However, do not hesitate to speak up, give your input, and question anything you need to.

[lildutchgirl56]

on 5/21/2009 Well written explaination on IEP meetings. My daughter has auditory processing disorder and I had to attend these meetings, so I know how hard it can be to understand.

[lin-z]

on 4/10/2009 Good article. We have a family member who is just starting on this road and all the definitions are a help.

[4dogday]

on 3/23/2009 Excellent advice, so true about the parent being overwhelmed with all the personnel.