Have you ever felt frustrated with an IEP meeting agenda that seems irrelevant to your child’s education? Do you feel like the IEP team is not listening to your suggestions or that no matter what you say, the meeting does not cover what your child needs or expects? Many parents have!
Managing an IEP meeting can be difficult; it is often tough to keep the team focused and directed. The district often hands out an IEP meeting agenda when the IEP starts. We recommend you have your own written agenda. Having a written plan is a visual reminder of your concerns and we find that it helps cover and acknowledge your thoughts on your child’s education, supports, and services.
Roadblocks occur, eve
n with an IEP meeting agenda
Sometimes a person—or several people—from the district may act as a roadblock. It can feel like their role is to either minimize your important points or to have official-sounding reasons why the school district denies them. There are a number of possible reasons for this behavior: the district has a deliberate plan to deny services, the district is incompetent, the individuals at the meeting are inexperienced, etc. It is frustrating to have no sense of an IEP meeting agenda at these meetings, as the IEP will not be a well-written document under these conditions.
The Rest of The Story
As a parent, you don’t always know the whole story as well as what may or may not impact decisions made at the meeting. The school district has budgets and is heavily pressured to stay within those budgets. This is not the only factor impacting decisions, though budget can cause a huge disconnect as the IEP team cannot discuss cost. A student that requires services must receive those services per the team’s criteria for that student’s education. A well-written IEP must be upheld, regardless of the cost.
If you find yourself in this situation or one similar, hiring an advocate can be very helpful. A trained, professional advocate can help keep a meeting on track, keep team members focused, and be able to identify the roadblocks so that the meeting can be more productive once those blocks are overcome. Obtaining a well-written IEP takes skill and experience, especially if an IEP team has members that are not working collaboratively.
Hire an advocate. Learn your rights.
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As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.