An IEP meeting is where the people who know a child best, parents, teachers and specialists, agree on what support the child will receive at school and how progress will be judged. Parents who arrive prepared can say more, ask better questions, and leave with a clearer plan. This checklist will help you get ready, whatever your child’s age or needs.
A note for readers in India: the basic shape of an IEP is shared across countries, but how meetings are run differs between schools, boards and states. Treat this guide as a starting point, and ask your school how its own process works.
Your preparation checklist
You do not need to do everything here. Choose what fits your child and your time. You can print this page and tick the boxes as you go.
- Know what the meeting is for. If the term is new, read What Is an IEP? first.
- Ask the school the basics. The date and length of the meeting, who will attend, whether you may bring someone with you, and whether any reports or a draft plan can be shared beforehand.
- Collect your paperwork. The current IEP or support plan if there is one, recent school reports, any assessment or therapy reports, medical papers, and a disability certificate or UDID card if your child has one. A few samples of your child’s work are useful too.
- Write down your child’s strengths. What they enjoy, what they are good at, what motivates them, and what helps them settle when they are upset. A plan built on strengths works better than one built only on difficulties.
- Write down your top three concerns. Meetings are short and full. Decide the three things you most want a plan for, so they do not get lost.
- Note what you see at home. Sleep, meals, homework, friendships, and what causes distress. The school sees your child at school; only you see the rest.
- Prepare your questions. Our list of questions to ask at an IEP meeting will give you a start.
- Decide who comes with you. A partner, a relative, or your child’s therapist can help. A second person can take notes while you listen and talk.
- Think about your child’s voice. Where it suits their age, ask what they like at school and what is hard. Some children can join part of the meeting.
- Sort out the practical details. Time off work, travel, a notebook and pen. If you would be more comfortable discussing things in a different language, tell the school in advance.
At the meeting
- Begin with strengths. It sets a collaborative tone and reminds everyone who the plan is about.
- Raise your top concerns early, before time runs short.
- Ask for plain language and examples. “What would that look like in the classroom?” is a useful question when you meet a term you do not know.
- Take notes, and ask the team to repeat each decision, who is responsible, and by when.
- You do not have to agree to everything on the spot. It is reasonable to ask for time to read the written plan before you agree to it.
- Stay calm, and ask for a short break if you need one. A good meeting is a conversation, not a contest.
What a good outcome looks like
By the end of the meeting you should know:
- The goals for your child, written so that progress can be measured.
- What support will be given, by whom, how often and where.
- How progress will be checked, and when you will hear about it.
- The date of the next review, and one person you can contact in between.
If you feel you were not heard
Write down your concerns while they are fresh, and send them to the school. Ask for a follow-up meeting. If the issue is still not resolved, speak to the school coordinator or the principal. If it is about your child’s right to be admitted or supported, our guide to the rights of children with disabilities in Indian schools explains the law and where a complaint can be made.
After the meeting
What you do next matters as much as the meeting itself. Our guide to following up and tracking progress shows how.
See also: Sample letters to your child’s school, including a template for requesting an IEP meeting.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, A Guide to the Individualized Education Program.
- Maryland State Department of Education, The Individualized Education Program (IEP): A Parent’s Guide.
- Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi (Inclusive Education Branch), Instructions for preparing the Individualised Education Plan.
This guide is general information, not legal, medical or professional advice. If something here does not match your situation, please speak to a qualified professional.