An IEP meeting is one of the most important times for special education teachers, parents, and students. It’s where you make decisions about a student’s educational path, accommodations, and supports. As the facilitator of these meetings, being organized and prepared will help ensure a smooth and productive meeting. Let’s look at some actionable tips to make your next IEP meeting a success.
1. Review Student Progress Thoroughly
Before the meeting, take time to thoroughly review the student’s progress. This includes checking on their current IEP goals, collecting and reviewing the data from progress monitoring tools, and reflecting on areas where the student has shown improvement or may need more support. Having concrete data ready will allow you to give an accurate and well-rounded picture of how the student is doing.
2. Collaborate with Your Team Early
Don’t wait until the day of the meeting to start discussing the student’s progress with other service providers (speech therapists, OTs, etc.). Schedule a brief check-in with your team beforehand to make sure everyone is on the same page. This helps ensure a collaborative, cohesive, and well thought out plan is presented during the meeting.
3. Involve Parents in the Process
IEP meetings are most successful when parents feel heard and involved. Prior to the meeting, reach out to parents. You can send home a parent input form for them to fill out regarding how they see that their child is progressing or any areas they may need additional support in. This helps create a collaborative atmosphere and builds trust with the family.
4. Organize Your Documents
One of the biggest stressors in IEP meetings can be disorganized paperwork. Before the meeting, make sure you have:
- The current IEP
- Any updated assessments or evaluations
- Meeting invitations and other required paperwork
- Notes from other service providers
- Your prepared discussion points
5. Create a Clear Agenda
It’s helpful to have an agenda ready to guide the IEP meeting. Outline key points such as:
- Review of current progress and present levels of functioning
- Proposed New goals or adjustments to existing goals
- Any changes in accommodations or modifications
- Any proposed new or changes to services
- Next steps
Share the agenda with the team and parents at the start of the meeting to keep everyone on track. You can grab a FREE IEP Meeting Agenda and Checklists HERE!
Stay Calm and Flexible
IEP meetings can sometimes get emotional, especially when discussing challenging areas. It’s important to stay calm and open to feedback. Flexibility is key—what’s on paper may need adjusting based on the conversation, and that’s okay! The goal is to create a plan that works best for the student.
To make your IEP meetings easier, I’ve developed a few helpful tools:
- IEP Meeting Checklist: A FREE quick, printable guide to make sure you’re prepared before stepping into the meeting. There are checklists included for before, during, and after the meeting, as well as a meeting agenda to help your team stay on track.
- Special Education Binder: With dedicated IEP sections, lesson plan templates, and goal-tracking sheets, accommodations trackers, and more, it helps you keep everything organized throughout the school year.
Grab these resources and make your next IEP meeting a success!
Remember, IEP meetings don’t have to be stressful! With proper preparation and the right mindset, you can create a productive environment that sets your students up for success. Take the time to review, organize, and communicate ahead of time, and you’ll be well on your way to a smooth meeting.
