Interpreter vs Translator in Special Ed: Whatโs the Difference and Why It Matters in IEP Meetings
Learn the difference between interpreters and translators in special education, including their roles in IEP meetings and how they support families.
What to Do When IEP Meetings Go Downhill
Learn what to do when IEP meetings go downhill, including de-escalation strategies, advocacy scripts, and student-centered communication tools.
Top 10 Data-Driven Questions Every IEP Team Should Be Asking
IEP data should do more than sit in a folder or get copied into a progress report. Data is meant to guide instruction, inform decisions, and protect studentsโ access to appropriate supports. But data alone does not tell a story. The questions the IEP team asks are what turn numbers into meaning. For special education […]
Parent Rights Under IDEA Every Educator Should Know
Understanding parent rights under IDEA doesnโt have to feel overwhelming. When educators can explain them clearly, IEP meetings become more collaborative, transparent, and trusting.
The Best Time-Saving Tricks for IEP Meetings
Discover the best time-saving tricks for IEP meetings. Learn how to prep efficiently, stay organized, and make meetings run smoother.
The Difference Between Parent-Teacher Conferences and IEP Meetings
Overwhelmed by the special ed process and meetings? Learn the difference between parent-teacher conferences and IEP meetings here!
How to Emotionally Disarm Parents During IEP Meetings for Stronger Collaboration
When it comes to writing and holding IEP meetings, special education teachers often focus on the paperwork, timelines, and goals. But thereโs another part thatโs just as important: building trust with families. Many parents come to the IEP table feeling overwhelmed, scared, or even angry. They may have had past experiences where they didnโt feel […]
The Different Types of IEP Meetings Explained
If you’re a special education teacher or the parent of a student with an IEP, you already know that IEP meetings are more than just paperwork and checklistsโthey’re conversations that shape a child’s education. Whether sitting at the school conference table, logging into Zoom, or hopping on a quick phone call, these meetings are where […]
Better Ways to Schedule IEP Meetings and Manage Sub Coverage: What Works in Real Schools
Managing sub coverage and scheduling IEP meetings can be overwhelming. Here’s how to make it easier.
10 Questions IEP Team Members Wish They Had Answered Before the IEP Meeting
Walking into an IEP meeting without the right information feels a lot like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Parents feel overwhelmed, teachers feel rushed, and everyone around the table is trying their bestโbut sometimes, crucial details slip through the cracks. That’s why preparing thoughtful questions before the meeting can transform the experience […]
How to Invite General Ed Teachers to an IEP Meeting
Inviting general education teachers to Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings is essential for creating effective support plans for students with disabilities. These meetings are critical for ensuring that students receive the accommodations they need to thrive. While special education teachers, administrators, and service providers play vital roles, general education teachers offer important insights about the […]
Collaboration Tips for IEP Teams
Struggling to get everyone on the IEP team on the same page? These collaboration tips for IEP teams will make it easier!
Questions the IEP Team Should Answer for Parents
Being a parent of a child with special needs lends itself to having a lot of questions and being an advocate. But sometimes, even the IEP can be confusing or there can be questions that parents have that relate to services. So, what is the IEP team’s responsibility in terms of which questions to answer […]
Creating a Safe Space for Parents During an IEP Meeting
When parents attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, they often come with a mix of hope, anxiety, and uncertainty. It can be a scary time for them. Creating an environment where they feel safe and valued to ask questions is crucial for the success of these sessions. Here are effective strategies to encourage parent participation […]
10+ Ways Parents Can Prep for an IEP Meeting
Walking into an IEP meeting can be stressful and nerve wracking for anyone, but especially for a parent. When a parent has a student with an IEP, they are used to hearing about the things their child canโt do more than they hear what their child can do. Most of the time, they also donโt […]
Note-Taking During an IEP Meeting
During an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, note-taking is essential to ensuring that special education students receive the services they need. As a special educator, documenting everything discussed during the meeting is crucial for tracking progress and ensuring that each student receives the appropriate instruction detailed in their IEP. By taking accurate and detailed notes, […]
Tracking Documentation of IEP Meeting Invites to Parents
When it comes to ensuring successful communication and coordination of Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings with parents, tracking documentation of meeting invites is crucial. But finding a way to keep track of all of the IEP meeting invites can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming. Why You Need to Track IEP Invites Tracking documentation of […]
The Crucial Role of General Ed Teachers in an IEP Meeting
General ed teachers play a crucial role in the IEP process and IEP meetings. IEP meetings are a pivotal platform for educators, parents, and professionals to develop personalized plans for students with disabilities. While special education teachers play a significant role in these IEP meetings, it is important not to overlook the crucial contributions of […]
19 Things Not to Say in an IEP Meeting
When we are immersed in writing IEPs, we are often focused on all the important pieces that need to be entered into the document, and we should be. There is so much to add, and we donโt want to (and actually canโt!) leave anything out. As we prepare for the actual IEP meeting, there are […]
7 Clarifying Questions Teachers Should Ask at an IEP Meeting
Positive and productive IEP meetings lay the groundwork for better student outcomes, but when team opinions clash and emotions run high, a meeting can fall apart before you know it.ย Sometimes, having a neutral third-party facilitator can make all the difference in the success of a meeting.ย Being sure to have a facilitated IEP meeting […]
Improving the IEP Meeting Experience for Parents
Attending an IEP meeting as a parent can be a scary and emotional experience. Parents want to make sure that their children are given every opportunity to succeed, and they are a vital part of a child’s IEP team. Itโs our job as educators to make parents feel heard and to let them know that […]
When You Donโt Feel Heard at an IEP Meeting: What to Do
Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings can be stressful for both parents and educators. The goal of the meeting is to discuss the student’s needs and come up with a plan that meets those needs. However, sometimes one may not feel heard in these meetings, which can be frustrating and discouraging. If you find yourself in […]
IEP Meeting Management Tips
IEP meetings can be a time of great stress for parents and educators. With so much on the line, it’s important to make sure that the meeting runs as smoothly as possible. To help ensure success, we have compiled some tips for managing an IEP meeting so that all parties involved feel heard and respected […]
Explaining ESY to Parents in an IEP Meeting
Extended school year (ESY) services are specialized educational supports for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). ESY services provide additional learning support to help them make meaningful progress in their overall academic and social-emotional development. These services can be delivered outside of the traditional school year, such as during summer months or holidays, and […]
Different Types of IEP Meetings
When we talk about IEP meetings, we are most commonly talking about the annual IEP meeting where services and goals are updated or introduced to help a student over the course of the next calendar year. While those are the most common type of IEP meetings, there are other types of meetings that fall under […]
What to Do Before, During, and After an IEP Meeting
As special education teachers, we have a lot on our minds when we are preparing for IEP meetings! And sometimes after the meeting is done, we are so busy getting back to the business of teaching that we forget to follow up on some crucial IEP details. Did you ever wish that there was a […]
Teachers: Hereโs What to Say When You Hold an IEP Meeting
Walking into any IEP meeting can feel very intimidating, but especially with your first few meetings, or when meeting with a new parent. You donโt know how to feel, how to act, or what to say. The Intentional IEP team has compiled a list of some of the things that are important for you to […]
IEP Meeting Ground Rules
Do you have established ground rules for IEP meetings? If you don’t or haven’t thought about it, you should – because IEP meetings can be tense affairs. There is often tension between the school and family which can lead to difficult meetings with a lot of emotions. While high emotions are understandable at times, there […]
How to Schedule IEP Meetings
No matter how many you have organized before, scheduling IEP meetings can be tricky! With so many schedules to coordinate and so many different things to cover, it is a challenge to make sure that everyone is on the same page. The tips below will make scheduling IEP meetings a bit easier and help you […]
Most Important Thing to Do to Have a Smooth IEP Meeting
Weโve all been in an IEP meeting that hasnโt gone all that wellโฆ or at least weโve imagined the worst-case scenarios in our heads and done everything we can to avoid them. There of course is always an element of โpractice makes perfectโ with any part of the job, and it comes as no surprise […]
IEP Meeting Advice from Veteran Teachers
Running IEP meetings can be intimidating for even the most experienced teachers. When you’re a new teacher about to enter your first meeting though, it is even more overwhelming. That’s when the advice of veteran teachers is needed and appreciated. Running an IEP meeting does not have to be a scary endeavor – especially if […]
How to Keep IEP Meetings on Track
IEP meetings can be tricky. Sometimes they are filled with emotion and feel like a struggle to get through. Other times they are congenial and so friendly that they get off-topic. Being able to smoothly transition from general conversation and chit-chat back to the IEP at hand is as much of a skill as being […]
What Can Go Wrong at IEP Meetings and How to Fix It
As much as we would love for IEP meetings to all run smoothly, sometimes that is just not the case. Personalities can clash, decisions on services can be disagreed about, and emotions can come into play. Being prepared to handle things that can go wrong can make the meeting run smoother and calm your nerves. […]
Understanding the IEP Meeting Toolkit
There comes a point in your special ed teaching career when you realize that there has to be a better way to do things. A better way to schedule meetings. A better way to organize meeting attendees. A better way to gather the information you need to write a comprehensive IEP that will best serve […]
Explaining Accommodations and Modifications to the IEP Team
The difference between accommodations and modifications may have been drilled into your head as a special education teacher, but it is safe to assume that the rest of the IEP team may not be as familiar with the difference between the two. Before diving in to the IEP meeting, make sure that you take the […]
How to Get Virtual Signatures on IEPs
With remote IEP meetings become more the norm than the exception, it is more important than ever to make sure that all documents are prepared and signed appropriately. Here’s what the IDEA says about parent participation: (c) Other methods to ensure parent participation. If neither parent can attend an IEP Team meeting, the public agency […]
How to Prep for an Annual IEP Meeting
Keeping track of the IEP meetings for your students can be overwhelming. With so much to do and so much to remember, it’s no wonder that sometimes things unintentionally slip by. This year, set the systems in place that you will need to be successful with all of your annual IEP meetings – from start […]
5 Things to Do at Every IEP Meeting
IEP meetings are not for the faint of heart! They can be overwhelming, stressful, and downright difficult if we are being truly honest with one another. But IEP meetings can also be encouraging, motivating, and positive. The problem is that you never quite know how a meeting is going to go until you are in […]
How to Get in Touch with Parents About IEP Meetings
Parents are part of the IEP team, but they are not always the easiest to get in touch with. Different schedules, language barriers, and other obstacles can make it difficult for school staff to communicate with families about upcoming IEP meetings and changes to an IEP. There’s a lot to do before you hold an […]
Can You Record an IEP Meeting?
A lot happens at an IEP meeting and there is a tremendous amount of information that is shared. Keeping all of it straight can be difficult, but is it legal to record an IEP meeting? For parents who are new to the special education and IEP process, recording an IEP meeting might seem like the […]
7 Go To Tips for Your First IEP Meeting
IEP meetings are intimidating, most times for all parties involved. While many veteran teachers still feel butterflies when they enter the conference room, first year teachers experience the nerves of IEP meetings ten-fold. To help alleviate some of those nerves, we asked experienced special ed teachers to share their best tips and tricks for IEP […]
First IEP Meeting Tips for Special Ed Teachers
No matter how many IEPs you have sat through, there is always a sense of nervousness when facilitating your first IEP meeting. These teacher-tested first IEP meeting tips for special ed teachers can help make it easier and calm some of those first-meeting jitters! Even veteran teachers get nervous before IEP meetings, so for the […]
Quick Tips for Holding a Virtual IEP Meeting
Schools must ensure parents have an opportunity to participate in the IEP process, including the IEP meeting. If a parent requests a virtual meeting, the school must consider and provide reasonable accommodations. If in-person attendance is not feasible, IDEA allows participation via: When it comes to holding an IEP meeting, we know that under the […]
Who to Invite to the IEP Meeting and Why
After hours of writing and planning out the perfect Individualized Education Program(IEP) for your student, it can feel like such a relief that it is finally completed! But – donโt stop there! There are still a few more steps you need to take to ensure that the actual IEP meeting will be smooth, efficient, and […]
IEP Meeting Doโs and Donโts
IEPs are the foundation to a quality special education program. In our teacher preparation programs, we practice writing present levels of performance, measurable goals, and finding just the right accommodations and modifications. But – what about the actual IEP meeting? The entire team in one place, reading your well crafted document out loud – PARENTS […]