What Should I Ask at My Child's IEP Meeting?

Ask about present levels, how each goal will be measured, what services will be delivered and by whom, and how progress will be reported. Ask for the answers in writing so you leave with the same understanding as the team.

An IEP meeting is a working conversation about your child's needs and the plan to meet them. You are a required member of the team. Asking specific questions is part of your role, and it helps the team turn general statements into clear commitments. If an answer is unclear, it is reasonable to ask for an example.

Ask for a draft of the plan before the meeting so you have time to read it. Bring your own notes about what you see at home. Ask which data supports each goal and each service. At the end, ask what happens next, who is responsible, and when you will receive progress reports. You can also ask that your questions and the answers be included in the meeting notes.

Instead of asking whether the plan is fine, ask: what will my child be able to do by June that they cannot do now, and how will we know. That question usually produces a measurable goal and a way to check it.