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 best—but sometimes, crucial details slip through the cracks. That’s why preparing thoughtful questions before the meeting can transform the experience for everyone involved.
Here are ten essential questions that families and IEP team members alike wish they had answers to well before they sit down at the table.
Having the opportunity to review a draft IEP in advance gives parents and caregivers time to process, reflect, and prepare meaningful input. It helps shift the meeting from reactive to proactive. Without it, families often feel blindsided by goals or service plans they’re seeing for the first time. While some schools hesitate, fearing this might feel like predetermination, providing a thoughtful draft encourages collaboration, not a rubber stamp. It gives parents the space to prepare clarifying questions and feel like active, informed members of the team.
Assessment results are the foundation of a solid IEP, but too often, they’re shared in a rush—or not at all—during the meeting itself. Parents appreciate when schools share results ahead of time or schedule time to review them before the formal meeting. Understanding what tests were administered, what the scores mean, and how those results shape the recommendations on the IEP empowers families to engage in the process more confidently.
Not all families are familiar with tools like the Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale (DABS), but assessments like these can play a crucial role in understanding a child’s independent living and adaptive skills. Clarifying what assessments are available, even those that require a specific written request, helps families advocate effectively for well-rounded evaluations. Knowing what tools can be used ensures decisions are data-driven rather than based solely on observation or tradition.
Parents don’t just want a list of goals—they want to understand the plan behind them. How will the team support progress? What strategies will be used? Asking about the school’s plan for the coming year opens the door for richer conversation and ensures that everyone is aligned on priorities and expectations. Progress on current goals and thoughtful new objectives demonstrate that the team is thinking critically about the student’s growth.
One of the most powerful ways for parents to make sure their voice is heard is by writing a parent concerns statement in advance. Submitting this ahead of the meeting and requesting that it be included in the IEP ensures that their perspective becomes a documented part of the plan. It signals to the team that families are engaged partners and helps shape the conversation around the student’s strengths and needs.
Many families feel pressured to sign the IEP immediately after the meeting concludes, but it’s important to know that in most states, this is not required (except for initial IEPs). Understanding local policies around signatures takes the pressure off and gives parents time to review the plan at home before committing. Taking this extra time can lead to better questions, a clearer understanding, and a stronger final plan.
Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, classroom teachers—everyone on the team plays a vital role in shaping the IEP. But sometimes, families are surprised to find that provider assessments aren’t fully incorporated into the document. Asking ahead of time ensures that all evaluations are on the table and that the IEP reflects the full scope of a student’s needs and supports.
When eligibility decisions are made, it’s not enough to know that tests were administered—parents deserve to know which tests, their results, and what those results mean. Asking to see not just composite scores but also subtest scores can provide a clearer picture of the child’s strengths and challenges. Without this transparency, it can feel like decisions are made based on opinion rather than concrete data.
Predetermination is when decisions about a child’s services are made before the IEP meeting without meaningful parental input. Families want to know how to balance receiving a draft IEP without feeling like their voice is diminished. Clarifying this with the team reassures parents that while drafts help prepare for the meeting, final decisions are still collaborative and made together at the table.
Perhaps the biggest unspoken question is this: How do we make sure this meeting is a conversation, not just a formality? When families and schools treat IEPs as living, breathing documents built through collaboration, the whole process feels different. Asking how to maintain open communication throughout the year—not just during annual meetings—helps create trust and keeps the student at the center of every decision.
IEP meetings work best when they’re rooted in preparation, collaboration, and transparency. These questions aren’t just helpful for parents—they’re conversation starters that benefit the entire team. When families come to the table empowered with the right information, meetings become more productive, and IEPs become stronger, more personalized plans that truly support student success. And at the end of the day, that’s what every team member wants.
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