5 IEP meeting tips for parents!

What is an IEP? It is an Individualized Education Plan. It is a plan or program developed to ensure that a student between ages 3 and 21 years old with a disability needing specialized instruction receives FAPE, or Free Appropriate Public Education. This plan creates an opportunity for parents, general education teachers, special education teachers, school administrators, related services personnel, and the student to work together to improve and provide free appropriate education to the student with this need.

If you are a parent of a child with a disability and you are concerned about their educational progress, you can request an evaluation from the school to determine if your child qualifies for an IEP.

In order for an IEP to begin, the parent must sign a consent form for the child to be evaluated. Once the parent signs, the clock begins, and the school has 60 days to determine if the child needs special education services. Once the school decides that an IEP is needed, the team will hold an initial meeting to develop the contents of your child’s IEP with you—this will be about their educational goals as well as accommodations/modifications to meet their needs in school.

Here are some important tips that can help parents feel more prepared before, during, and after an IEP meeting!

Make sure you understand why your child qualifies for an IEP. Understand the findings in the evaluation and why an IEP is recommended. Sit down with the school professionals involved in completing the evaluation and ask them to go over it with you, so you have a better understanding of the findings. It will help hone in on issues, best practices, and more. This is where a parent can assist in evaluations by sharing information on their child to better understand some of the student’s issues. https://educationandbehavior.com/iep-meeting-tips-for-parents/

Learn about special education laws! It is important to know your rights as a parent with a child who has an IEP. Look for reputable sources. This can help you navigate decisions on the IEP and ask the right questions during the meeting. Advocates from the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. can provide information and technical assistance in understanding Special Education Law to help parents better advocate for services for their child. https://educationandbehavior.com/iep-meeting-tips-for-parents/

Make a list of questions you want to ask before going into the IEP meeting. This will help you ensure that you discuss all the important topics you want to address to guarantee your child is receiving the best service for their specific needs. Sample questions that can help are, “How are the IEP goals being monitored and implemented? How will I receive updates on my child’s progress? If the school goes into remote learning, how will my child receive his/her IEP services?” https://educationandbehavior.com/iep-meeting-tips-for-parents/

Keep well-organized records of your child’s documents related to their IEP. When you keep copies of these important documents, you keep track of their progress, needs, goals, services, and any other relevant information. This helps better prepare you for the next IEP meeting. https://specialednews.com/top-iep-tips-for-parents/

Provide a list of your child’s strengths, areas of improvement, and learning styles. This list can help the school understand your child’s behavior, strengths, and challenges better. It also helps you and the school work together to keep improving strengths, work on challenges, and implement the best learning style suited for your child at home and at school. You know your child best. Share that! https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/the-abcs-of-ieps/iep-meeting-6-tips-parents/

For more information or assistance, contact NMPASI at 670-235-7273 (voice), (670) 285-0652 via text message or visit us online at www.nmpasi.org For more information, also see Special Education Program Rules and Regulations, NMIAC 60-50-001 et seq.

SHANIAH ALVAREZ (Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Shaniah Alvarez is a client advocate at the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc.