Where should I start my IEP prep?

A great place to start IEP prep is by creating a vision statement. Whether you write a few bullet points or a paragraph, finding the “why” will help center your priorities in the IEP meeting. Education Advocate Lisa Carey explains her personal vision statement for her youngest boy as “long-term goals that I hope he will accomplish by the time he finishes with the school district.” Other parents will write a vision statement that resembles more of a mission statement, and that works too! Many Undivided parents start presenting their vision statements at the beginning of the IEP meeting, and it can be a meaningful way to remind everybody in the room what you’re working toward.

Another must-do at the beginning of your IEP prep: Save and document EVERYTHING! Whether it be emails, homework, or notes that come home from the school, you want to have access to documents from the previous school year. Let’s face it — you’re probably not going to remember everything that has happened in the span of an entire year. If you have a conversation on the phone or in person with a school staff member that you feel is significant, such as speaking about a new behavior or your child refusing to go to a therapy, follow up with an email to simply say thank you or clarify anything. If anything changes, it’s documented in writing. Remember: if it’s not written down, it didn’t happen!

For more tips, see our article The Ultimate Checklist for IEP Prep.