← Help Center

What to do before an IEP meeting

You don't need three weeks of preparation to walk in well. You need 30 focused minutes, the right document open, and a short list of questions. Here's the checklist.

One week out

• Confirm the meeting in writing. Request the agenda by email. Ask for the participant list and any reports the team plans to discuss.
• Request reports. If new evaluations have been completed, ask the team chair to send you the reports at least 48 hours before the meeting. You have the right to read them before the meeting, not in the meeting.
• Re-read the current IEP. Especially the present levels, goals (and progress notes), service minutes, and accommodations.

The night before (30 minutes)

• Open PrepIEP. Pull up the current IEP. Ask the Advisor for the top three patterns it sees that you should raise. Pick the two that matter most for your child.
• Draft two or three specific questions per priority area. Specific = referring to a measurable goal or a specific service minute, not "is my child making progress?"
• Generate a Meeting Pack if you're on Plus or Pro. Print two copies. (See Generate a Meeting Pack.)

Day-of

• Bring a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards. Your district must give it to you at least once a year and at every annual review; if you don't have a current copy, request one when you walk in.
• Bring a notebook. Take notes on what's said, especially commitments and timelines.
• You don't have to sign anything in the meeting. You can take a copy of the proposed IEP home, review it, and respond in writing. Timelines vary by state, so check your procedural safeguards notice or local PTI center.

If something feels wrong

You can disagree partially. You can request a follow-up meeting. You can request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense if you disagree with the district's evaluation. You can request a Notice of Procedural Safeguards explanation. If the meeting goes off the rails, the right next step may be a paid advocate or an attorney — see Contacting your district vs. using PrepIEP.