Top 10 Questions to Ask During Your Child's IEP

IEP fever for parents can strike at any time. If you experience these symptoms:

• Aches and pains

• Racing heart

• "On the edge feeling"

• Sweaty palms

• Easily irritated

Then, you know you've got IEP fever.

Most parents suffer during the May-June IEP time because there are complicated feelings around trying to advocate for your child’s needs. And, teachers feel it too. Teach talk can become overly clinical, case managers might become harder to get in contact with, and folks are stressing to complete all assessments to be able to contribute to developing an IEP. 

As a parent, consider asking these questions during your next IEP meeting.

1. What is the best way to get in contact with you? 

   Anyone that is in the room to discuss personal information about your son or daughter is fair game. The administrator will value your request, and I am sure you will appreciate the access to open communication.

   
   

2. Other than IEP's, how can I stay up-to-date on progress? 

   You will be surprised just how creative this can get depending on the age of your child. You can arrange bi-weekly coffee meet-ups, Zoom check-ins or offer to volunteer. Creating holistic opportunities for communication will keep you up-to-date on progress while offering a helping hand. 

   
   

3. What do you see as my child's strengths? 

   Frequently, an IEP meeting can turn into a highlight reel of a student's weaknesses. For most families, it is hard to wade through deficit-focused language. Sometimes, the necessity to discuss the negative leads the team down a slippery slope. If you can shift the perspective and focus on positive behavior, they will likely encourage growth and steady stride in behavior and academic performance. 

   
   

4. What type of progress can I expect to see? What will this look like?

   Remember, the people on the IEP team are specialists within their field. Do not think twice about asking for their recommendations and be willing to hear them. 

   
   

5. What can I do at home to support our goals, especially as we are planning to be in person for the upcoming academic year.

   Children make the most progress when goals are fluid between home and school. By asking in this way, the team will open up about their thoughts on returning to school in person, expectations, and recommendations on how to support your child's transition. 

   
   

6. Which of these goals are the top priority?

   By the end of an IEP meeting — between behavioral goals and academic goals — you might feel like your head is spinning. The way to get around this is to place things by priority level. For instance: Is transitioning back to in class learning a top behavioral goal? Is phonemic awareness most important for an academic goal? Ask the team. That way, you'll know what to focus on moving forward.

   
   

7. How will we measure progress?

   Ask how the team plans to measure progress outside of the standard grading letter grade of the classroom.  Every child in special education is unique, and a milestone should be celebrated as a complementary achievement to academic success. 

   
   

8. Take me through my child's day?

   You should know if the team expects your child to be being pulled out from the classroom or supports pushed in. Are the supports in a group setting or one-on-one? And, how often does this occur?

   
   

9. How will my child's classroom teacher be provided with resources and assistance to implement proper support for my child?

   A support team is put in place to rely on each other's individual strengths to the benefit of your child. However, the teachers need support as they endeavor to instruct your child with a tailor-made education plan. You should be involved in ensuring the team supports the teacher just as much as you expect to be supported. 

   
   

10. What would you do if this were your child?

    As the IEP meeting comes to a close, there is always a moment to offer final remarks. This question might be our favorite one as it opens up the chance to have honest dialogue. 

You have every right to request progress on goals that are all agreed on. And if anything doesn't make sense, ask for more information. You have the right to push back on goals you feel are not where you know in your heart your child can go.

With practice, you can slam dunk all of your IEP's going forward. This may seem hard, you might have become accustomed to the constant battle, but you don't have to feel like it is them against you. Treat the IEP meeting and the team as a trained tactical unit that will keep your child accountable and on track. Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve.