Review the IEP carefully to ensure it is written in clear language that everyone understands. This can prevent misunderstandings about what services are to be provided to your child. Gather progress reports and any other written communication concerning the student.
Speak with the personnel who provide services to your child. Make sure everyone who works with your child has a copy of your child's IEP and that they understand what the IEP requires. Consider a plan of instruction or placement for a certain period of time and see how the student does.
Talk with school personnel about other options for providing a service if it is unavailable. For instance, if the school's physical therapist is out on leave, ask your school to hire a substitute or compensate you for hiring a private therapist until the regular therapist returns. Consider compensatory services that can be provided after school, during school breaks or in the summer. Ask for taxi transportation or mileage reimbursement in the event of a school bus strike.
Share any concerns with your child's IEP team immediately. Call or write your child's teacher, school principal or special education administrator and ask for a meeting to discuss your concerns, notes Lawrence Siegel, author of "The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child." Write a clear description of any problem and a recommended solution.
Ask for a due process hearing if a resolution cannot be reached. During this process, parents and school personnel present their sides before an impartial hearing officer. The hearing officer decides on a solution.
Write directly to the state education agency stating what part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act you believe the school violated. The agency has 60 days to resolve the complaint. An extension of that time limit may be permitted in exceptional circumstances.