If you’re the parent of a special needs child, then you may have already had a few Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings with their educators and school administrators. If you’ve yet to participate in one, however, then you should know that there are several questions to ask before and during the process to help make it a more understanding and worthwhile experience. Our IEP lawyers in McAllen are fully aware of how important these meetings are and will be more than happy to go over what you should expect.
Your child’s education is extremely important, and we want nothing more than to help you get the most out of their IEP meeting. Contact us in today to learn more!
Before the Meeting
There are five questions that you should consider asking before your child’s IEP meeting begins. You can explore them below:
- What’s the purpose of the meeting? – If this is your first IEP meeting, then it’s important to know what its purpose is to determine and plan out your child’s educational needs.
- Can an agenda be created to see what will be discussed? – It’s always wise to draft an agenda to give you a better idea of what specifically will be addressed and to ensure that no topics will be overlooked.
- Can I take a look at the notes of previous meetings? – If this isn’t your first IEP meeting, then you’ll more than likely be aware of what to expect. Don’t be afraid to request the notes of a prior meeting to address any follow-up topics.
- Will any specialists be present? – If any professionals or specialists within the special education field will be present, it’s good to know that you’ll have access to information through them that can better help you address any important subjects.
- Can we go through what will be covered in the meeting on a step-by-step basis? – Knowing which topics will be explored and discussed is important since they will help you come up with any questions or concerns.
During the Meeting
Once your child’s IEP meeting has begun, don’t hesitate to ask important questions. After all, this is all done for your child’s well-being. Consider the following:
- How is everyone present involved with my child’s education/well-being? – The meeting’s purpose is to determine how to better accommodate your child’s needs in regard to their education, so be sure to know what each person’s role is.
- What’s an average day at school like for my child? – To better understand how your child’s needs are being handled at school, ask what a typical day is like for him/her and how those present are helping to make it a positive experience.
- Can I follow along with my child’s IEP document during the meeting? – It’s important to keep up with what’s being addressed in the meeting. Following along with your child’s IEP document is the best way to do this.
- Is my child making progress at school? – Your child’s education is extremely important, especially if he/she has special needs. Knowing how they’re doing in school can help determine which actions should be taken to make sure that their experience is as constructive as possible.
- Is there anything I can do at home to make sure that my child is getting the most out of their education? – Your child’s education is not only limited to their time at school. Know that continuing their academics at home can be just as important, so don’t be afraid to ask if there’s anything you can do to help in their education.
Helping You and Your Child
Your child’s education is both important and precious. We want to help their IEP meeting be as positive and constructive as possible, which is why we’ve made it a point to offer our services for this field. If you need legal guidance for an upcoming IEP meeting and would like to speak with us about it, then contact our lawyers in McAllen today!