What to Expect at Your First IEP Meeting

An IEP meeting can feel overwhelming — you are sitting across from 6-8 school professionals. Here is what to expect and how to show up prepared.

Who will be in the room

• General education teacher
• Special education teacher
• School psychologist or evaluator
• Related service providers (speech, OT, PT — as applicable)
• School administrator (required by law)
• You (the parent — a required team member, not a guest)
• Your child (if 16 or older; younger is optional)

You may also bring: a support person, an advocate, or a recording device (check state law first, but federal law says you can bring whoever you need).

The meeting structure

1. Present levels of performance — what the evaluation found
2. Goals development — what your child will work on this year (must be measurable)
3. Services discussion — how many minutes/week of each support
4. Placement decision — where services are delivered (least restrictive environment)
5. Parent consent — you sign at the end (or take it home to review)

Questions to ask

• "How was this goal chosen over other areas?"
• "How will progress be measured and how often will I receive updates?"
• "What does 'least restrictive environment' look like for my child specifically?"
• "What happens if my child is not making expected progress?"
• "Can I see the data from the evaluation that supports this recommendation?"

You do not have to sign at the meeting. You can take the IEP home, review it, and sign later. The school cannot implement the IEP until you sign. If you have questions, ask them — or request another meeting.

After the meeting

Keep your copy. Track progress reports. Request a review meeting any time you have concerns — annually is the minimum, but you can request one whenever needed.