About 20 days before the IEP meeting (or as soon as possible after you get notice of the meeting) you should send a letter/email to the entire IEP team with the following information:
1. Request Assessments.
In my opinion this is the most important thing parents should do before the IEP. Request that you receive drafts of all assessments 5 days before the IEP so that you can review them and discuss them at the IEP.
2. Outside Assessments.
If you child receives any services outside of school, you should provide the district with any assessments or reports to the IEP team. If there are any new medical diagnosis or reports also provide this to the IEP. In you letter/email to the IEP team include these outside assessments.
3. Your Team.
Notify the IEP Team in your letter/email who you plan to bring to the IEP. This could be an advocate, attorney, friend, or another service provider. If you child receives ABA therapy at home, you can request that the supervisor attend the IEP meeting. I often find they are very helpful members of the IEP team.
4. Interpreter or Other Accommodations.
If you need an interpreter or another accommodation because of your disability let the IEP Team know about your needs.
5. Recording the IEP.
Let the IEP team know that you will record this IEP meeting and any IEP team meetings in the future.
Whatever way you send the letter, make sure you have evidence that the letter was received. If you send it by mail, send it return receipt requested. If by fax, make sure you have a report of the fax being received. If by email, make sure that it is a valid email address and it is not bounced back. If you hand-deliver it to the school, bring two copies and request that the school stamps both with received and the date. Save one for yourself and the other one is for the school.
Please contact me to discuss this further or if you would like me to attend your IEP.
Sample Letter:
Dear IEP Team:
The purpose of this letter is to request that all assessments be provided to me five days prior to the IEP on ________IEP. The assessments can be provided via email at ___________.
Attached please find assessment/report/letter from ________ regarding speech/OT/PT for consideration by the IEP Team.
I plan on bringing _________, ___________, and ____________ to the IEP with me.
I need a [Spanish] interpreter at this meeting and all other meetings. I also need the room where the IEP meeting will be held (and all future IEP meetings) to be wheelchair assessable to accommodate my wheelchair.
I will be recording this IEP and all further IEP meetings.
Please contact me should you have any additional questions or concerns.
Thank you,
[Parent]
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