Familiarize yourself with special education law. Helpful books, websites and resources are listed below.
Identify your child's individual education needs. Write them down, or type and print them out.
Compose a letter to the members of your IEP team. In the letter, state your child's IEP needs and any changes you are requesting.
Hand-deliver or mail each letter to each member of the IEP team.
Decide if you will advocate for your child or bring someone else in to advocate for you.
Arrive at the IEP meeting at least 15 minutes in advance.
State the child's needs firmly and clearly during the meeting.
Take notes during the IEP meeting. Outline what was said, by whom and the outcome.
Maintain cordial relationships with each team member during the meeting.
Send a follow-up email or letter thanking the IEP team members for their involvement, assuming the IEP goals were met.
Send a follow-up letter outlining the results of the IEP meeting and your reaction to the team's outcome in instances when the IEP goals were not met or an agreement was not achieved.
Determine whether another IEP meeting can solve the disagreement, or move to due process.