5 Questions Parents Should Ask About Their Dyslexia Student at an IEP Meeting
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting is a collaborative process, and you are a vital member of that collaboration. One of the most powerful ways to exercise your role is by asking thoughtful, probing questions. The right questions can clarify goals, demand accountability, and ensure the plan is truly tailored to your child’s needs.
Before your next meeting, write these five questions down in your notebook. Don’t be afraid to pause the conversation and say, “I have a question.”
1. “How does this goal address my child’s specific challenges with dyslexia?”
Why it’s important: IEP goals can sometimes be generic or poorly defined. This question forces the team to connect the proposed goal directly to your child’s core deficits. For a child with dyslexia, goals should target specific skills like phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, and reading fluency—not just “improving reading.”
What to listen for: A good answer will sound something like, “Because your son struggles with decoding multi-syllable words, this goal specifically targets that skill using a structured, sequential approach.” A red flag is a vague answer like, “This will help him become a better reader.”
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2. “What does the data say?”
Why it’s important: Decisions in an IEP should be driven by data, not by subjective opinions or feelings. This question applies to everything, from your child’s present levels of performance to their progress on goals.
What to listen for: The team should be able to show you specific data points. For example, “His baseline data from September showed he could read 30 words per minute. Our most recent progress monitoring from November shows he is now at 38 words per minute.” If you hear phrases like, “We feel like he’s making progress,” or “He seems to be trying harder,” ask for the specific data that supports that feeling.
3. “Is this intervention evidence-based for students with dyslexia?”
Why it’s important: This is the million-dollar question. Not all reading programs are created equal. As we’ve discussed, children with dyslexia require instruction that is based on the Science of Reading and follows a Structured Literacy approach. This question directly challenges the use of ineffective, non-scientific methods like three-cueing.
What to listen for: You want to hear the names of specific, evidence-based programs (e.g., Wilson, Orton-Gillingham, Barton) or a clear explanation of how their approach aligns with Structured Literacy principles. Be wary of answers like, “We use a balanced literacy approach,” or “We use a variety of strategies.”
4. “How will this be implemented, and by whom?”
Why it’s important: A great plan on paper is useless if it’s not put into practice correctly. This question is about the fidelity of implementation. It asks for the details: Who will be providing the service? What are their qualifications and training? How often will it happen? In what setting (e.g., a quiet room, the back of the classroom)?
What to listen for: You want specifics. “Mrs. Smith, our certified reading specialist, will provide this service three times a week for 45 minutes in a small group of no more than three students in her resource room.” An answer like, “The classroom aide will help him when she has time,” is a major red flag.
5. “How will we communicate about progress and concerns?”
Why it’s important: The IEP meeting is just one day. Your child’s education is happening every day. This question establishes a clear communication plan for the entire year. It sets the expectation that you are a partner and want to be kept informed.
What to listen for: Propose a communication plan that works for you. “I’d like to receive a brief email every other Friday with an update on his progress toward his reading goal. What is the best way for me to share any concerns I have with you?” This is much more effective than leaving the meeting with no clear plan for staying in touch.
Asking these questions may feel intimidating at first, but they are the cornerstone of effective advocacy. They show the team you are an informed and engaged parent, and they ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of the most important person in the room: your child.
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Start Your Free TrialAbout the Author: This guide was created by the team at IEP Advocate.ai, a platform built by parents, for parents, to make special education advocacy accessible to everyone. Our mission is to empower parents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to secure the services their children deserve—starting with demanding real data, not just empty promises.