As first year teachers, we know that the first time stepping foot into a classroom can be extremely nerve wracking. But as Special Education teachers, I think we can all agree that the most nerve wracking thing is going to be that first IEP meeting. No matter how much they teach us during our schooling, regardless of how much we are taught in school, or how prepared we may feel, that first IEP meeting hits pretty hard.
To help, I’ve reached out to fellow special education teachers to share their advice. Here are the top five things to do before your first IEP meeting.
Important Steps To Take Prior To Your First IEP Meeting
More often than not, your student will also be served by some sort of related service – speech, OT, PT, audiology, etc. We can’t forget those service providers when scheduling an IEP as every IEP team member’s participation is needed to make decisions.
Speaking of team members – don’t forget the parents!
While we spend most of the day with our students, their parents know them best. Their input is essential in understanding each child and how they can be supportive outside of the classroom.
One way to do this is send home a quick questionnaire to the parents. Consider these Parent Input Questionnaires for simple input from your student’s parents. Ask them about what their child can or can’t do at home, what they think their struggles are, what concerns they may have for their child at school, and what their vision is for their child’s future.
Having supportive parents and an IEP team that is all on the same page is going to be the easiest way to help any child succeed at school.
Data, data, data.
I can not stress data enough. You need to make sure that not only are you collecting the data, but that you have it documented and reviewed so you can back up your decision making in an IEP meeting, especially if you are going to be adding, deleting, or modifying your goals and/or services for the child.
- PRO TIP: Inside of The Intentional IEP Membership we have trainings to help you successfully collect data inside Pillar 3, including our course Intentional Data Collection.
Reach out for help when you need it.
We all know how stressful and nerve wracking any IEP meeting can be, but especially holding your first one, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your teammates, department heads, administration, coordinating teachers, anyone who you feel is knowledgeable and has experience in writing IEPs.
Even if it’s just for someone to look over everything and make sure you didn’t miss any information. Have someone walk you through holding a mock IEP so you feel comfortable with the order that things are supposed to be completed. It’s okay to ask for help.
Finally, don’t forget to breathe.
Everything is going to be okay. Go slow, take your time, ask questions if you’re not sure, but most importantly, don’t forget to breathe. It will only get easier from here.
With each IEP meeting that follows, the process will become more familiar, the nerves will lessen, and the impact of our work will continue to flourish. What is something that you did that helped you prepare for your first IEP meeting? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Special education teachers don’t just write paperwork – they write possibilities. But when you’re buried in the details, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Inside The Intentional IEP, you’ll find the tools, trainings, and ready-to-use goals that take the guesswork out of IEPs – so you can focus on what matters most: turning student potential into real, measurable progress.