When your child has been evaluated and classified as in need of special education services, the school district assembles an IEP committee to create an individualized education plan that will address the child's needs. Classroom teachers, school psychologists, guidance personnel, special educators and school social workers will prepare individual reports on the child's challenges and goals and what specific school resources can be put into place that will help him to achieve them. By law, parents -- and the student himself when appropriate -- are full members of the IEP team.
The school district will provide a list of the educators who will be preparing reports to present at the IEP meeting and a handbook of your legal rights as a parent. Find out as much as you can from your child about his school experience; what is helping and what is not? Review your child's school records and note any trends or events that you want the rest of the team to know about.
Prepare a folder containing your own assessment of your child's needs and goals. Include samples of schoolwork, report cards and teacher comments, and any other materials that can help everyone to understand how she learns best and what difficulties she faces. Bring a notebook to jot down questions or concerns that come up during the meeting.
Finding yourself in a room full of people with advanced degrees all focusing on your child's education can be intimidating and gratifying at the same time. Be politely assertive in making sure that your input is given ample time and your questions are thoroughly answered. At a good IEP meeting, you will be consulted as an expert on your child. You are never required to sign an IEP that is not appropriate.