This resource is designed to prepare parents to participate in IEP meetings.
[excerpt]
"A parent’s first encounter with the Individualized Education Program—the IEP—can be intimidating.
However, participation in special educational planning is critical in assuring positive long-term
outcomes for students with disabilities.
Parents and guardians of school-age children with disabilities need to be familiar with relevant
regulations and procedures for developing an IEP to fully participate in IEP development and long-term
planning. Similarly, students who have attained legal adult status in their state and have assumed
responsibility for their own IEP need information to assure informed participation at their IEP meetings.
The IEP is a legal document that describes a student’s instructional needs and identifies the special
education services the school will provide to meet those needs. Therefore, the IEP is one of the most
important components of the educational program for students with disabilities and is developed by a
team that includes the parent(s), student (when appropriate), and school personnel. Since the IEP is a
legal document, schools are required to comply with the conditions of the IEP; however, the IEP is not a
guarantee that a student will achieve all the educational goals targeted.
Laws governing the IEP are revised periodically, and that while federal laws dictate broadly defined
procedures, each state has its own set of regulations. Usually these regulations are available from your
state department of education. Schools are also obligated to provide you with information about your
rights under state law.
The following guide provides an introduction to the IEP process so you will have an idea of what to
expect, feel more comfortable in the meeting, and be better able to advocate for your child’s (or your
own) educational needs."