10 Terms to Know Before Your First IEP Meeting
Walking into your first IEP meeting can be overwhelming. These are the 10 most essential terms every parent should understand before sitting down at the table.
Key Terms (9)
A written plan developed for each child eligible for special education services. The IEP describes the child's present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, the special education and rela...
The right of every child with a disability to receive special education and related services at no cost to the family. "Appropriate" means the education must be reasonably calculated to enable a ch...
The IDEA principle requiring that children with disabilities be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Removal from the general education classroom should only oc...
The process of gathering information to determine whether a child has a disability and needs special education services. An evaluation must use a variety of assessment tools and strategies, cannot ...
The determination made by a team (including the parents) that a child meets the criteria for one or more of the 13 disability categories under IDEA and needs special education services. Both condit...
A written document that the school must provide to parents whenever it proposes or refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of FAPE to a chi...
A set of rights guaranteed to parents under IDEA that protect their ability to participate in decisions about their child's education. These include the right to written notice before changes, acce...
Changes in how a student accesses information or demonstrates learning that do not fundamentally alter the curriculum or lower expectations. Examples include extended time on tests, preferential se...
Changes that alter what a student is expected to learn or demonstrate. Unlike accommodations, modifications change the actual curriculum content or lower the expectations. Examples include simplifi...
Parent Tips
You are an equal member of the IEP team — your input matters as much as anyone else at the table.
You can bring anyone to the meeting for support: a friend, advocate, or even a special education attorney.
You do NOT have to sign the IEP at the meeting. Take it home, review it, and ask questions.
Request a copy of the draft IEP before the meeting so you can prepare.
If something doesn't feel right, say so. You can disagree and document your concerns in writing.
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