How should I prepare for an IEP meeting?

Here are some of the top IEP prep tips from Undivided's Education Advocate Lisa Carey:

• Bring a priority list. Decide what is a must and what you’re able to let go. Having a list will help you articulate your child’s needs and make sure they get addressed during the meeting.
• Gather your essential documents and organize your notes according to the flow of the meeting and the order in which the IEP document is laid out.
• Write a vision statement to guide everyone on your IEP team.
• Keep goals in mind, and consider all the data available from progress reports. Request a copy of any recent assessments prior to the IEP meeting.
• Organize goals at a glance so you can compare them to previous years. The goals drive the services, so wherever your child needs more support, you should have an applicable number of goals.
• Do NOT sign the IEP right away; only sign for attendance.

For more information about this topic, check out our article The Ultimate Checklist for IEP Prep