iep meeting checklist for parents and teacher

IEP Meeting Checklist for Parents and Teachers [PDF Included]

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Last Updated on April 6, 2024 by Editorial Team

Be it the first or tenth iteration, IEP meetings come with a set of responsibilities for both parents and teachers. While parents should take care of the child, their documentation, and other requirements, teachers too might take a few measures to make the meeting supervised smoothly. 

The checklists that we have provided for parents and teachers not only help in making IEP meetings successful but also help in retaining better parent-teacher collaboration. Ensuring these few points can mark an admirable difference in the IEP meeting and its result.

IEP meetings- Understanding its importance

For eligible special children, IEP goals play an important role in determining their timely objectives to achieve and compete. To list out these goals and get approval, IEP meetings are conducted as a part of special education services. 

The IEP meetings document the next step that would be taken in improving the services of the special children. This process will bring on the existing performance of the child and thereby focuses on annual objectives. Here are a few insights that show how IEP meetings are important:

  • Individualized support. For every special student, a distinct IEP meeting is conducted with suitable teammates. Also, the needs and strategies of the learner are specifically discussed, which supports the personalized approach. 
  • Regular evaluation of the Special child. The abilities and needs of the child often change with grade and age. Regular IEP meetings can address them by timely revising the list by adding and removing some goals- thereby optimizing them as per present requirements. 
  • Professional support to help children. Along with parents and teachers, the IEP team also has public agency representatives and individuals who can interpret instructional implications. These professionals can assure to offer reliable and working strategies for the child’s improvement. 
  • Collaborative decision-making. The insights and opinions of the members of the IEP team are considered before concluding the meeting. With multiple opinions, the reliability of the decision increases. 
  • Provision for transition planning. At the right time, the IEP goals are linked to a set of transition planning goals- making the candidate ready for after-school life too. 

Features of an IEP meeting checklist

IEP meetings are crucial for special students. As it is the decision-making event for the coming days, the IEP meeting checklist should take care of every possible aspect. Here are some features:

  • It ensures all the legal documentations are ready beforehand
  • These make sure if the setting of the situation is up to the mark
  • Ensures collaboration between members of the IEP meeting
  • Warrants that teachers and parent’s opinions are considered by the IEP team
  • Ensures smooth transition of meeting agenda. 

IEP meeting checklist for parents 

For both parents and teachers, having a checklist can be helpful to make sure that they are ready for the meeting. Here, let us dive into the list of checklist menu for parents:

IEP Meeting Checklist For Parents
IEP Meeting Checklist For Parents PDFDownload


General

  • Did the parent receive the IEP notice?
  • Are the reports of the students shared beforehand?
  • Is the IEP Binder-ready according to the IEP binder checklist? 
  • Is the response to the evaluations and reports ready?
  • Is the child ready to attend the meeting? (only if they are 14 or older)
  • Being aware of the venue and  schedule of the IEP meeting
  • Do the parents need a supporting person in the meeting? If yes, is the presence ensured?
  • Are the private evaluations ready to share in the meeting?

Before the meet

  • Is their seat beside the teacher in the meeting arrangement?
  • Being aware of the exact time of the IEP meeting
  • Is the list of questions to be answered prepared?
  • Is the description of non-working strategies listed?
  • Confirm with the IEP team about the meeting’s details. 
  • Is the documentation of past IEP meetings ready? (if it is not the first IEP meeting)
  • Is the recording setup (app or recorder) ready to document the meeting?

After the meet

  • Is the schedule of the next meeting shared?
  • Are the documentation of new approvals checked?
  • Is the feedback from the teacher and IEP teams noted down?
  • Are you sure that the IEP meeting is successful?

IEP meeting checklist for teachers

Before an IEP meeting, event teachers may also need to check a few attributes to make sure they add value to the IEP meeting. Here are a few points to ponder:

IEP meeting checklist for teachers
IEP Meeting Checklist For Teachers PDFDownload


General:

  • Are the recent tests and evaluations of the student completed?
  • Is their IEP binder ready with all relevant sections?
  • Are they aware of the venue and schedule of the IEP meeting?

Before the meet

  • Being aware of the exact time of the IEP meeting
  • Is the list of suggestions and comments ready for the child?
  • Have an initial discussion with the principal and other IEP staff about the purpose
  • Have a list of non-working strategies in their opinion
  • Making a record of all the past IEP meetings of that child
  • Is the teacher report form ready?

After the meet

  • Are the newly provided IEP goals jotted down 
  • Is the new set of accommodations updated in the binder?
  • Is the set of documentation shared with parents and other stakes?
  • Ensure to continue collaborating  with parents 

Before we wind up

By referring to a proper checklist, parents or teachers can get appropriately ready for the IEP meeting. Our checklist is easy to traverse through that lets you quickly check the needs just before or after an IEP meeting. Once employing this to a meet, stick to it for coming meets to maintain consistency. As there is a scope for additional subjective checks, one may also add more points to the checklist to make it perfect for them. 

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