Conducation an IEP
Meeting without a
Parent.
A school district may conduct
an IEP meeting without
the student’s parents in
attendance if the district has
been unable to convince the
parents to attend and has
kept records of its attempts to
gain the parents’ attendance.
IEP FORMS
Most states and/or local
school districts have
developed forms to make
the IEP process run smoothly.
These forms must contain all
of the elements required by
IDEA and may also contain
additional state and/or district
level elements. If your school
district has an IEP form, obtain
a copy of the form before your
child’s IEP meeting. Reviewing
the IEP form that will be used
by the school will help you
understand the information
that will be covered during
the meeting.
Remember that forms can
limit exibility by not allowing
you room to include details
that are specic to your child.
So, don’t hesitate to bring up
issues of concern regardless
of whether the school’s IEP
form provides a place for such
information. Above all, the
IEP must be tailored to each
student’s unique educational
needs.
Individualized Education Program • 38
IDEA Parent Guide • National Center for Learning Disabilities • www.LD.org
• Indicate that the student will be invited to attend the meeting
• List any other agency (such as rehabilitative services) that will be invited to
attend.
Information about the transition services required in IEPs is covered in Chapter 8.
Who Attends IEP meetings?
The IEP team consists of:
• The student’s parents
• At least 1 regular education teacher of the student (if the student is, or may
be, participating in the regular education classroom)*
• At least one special education teacher or, where appropriate, at least one
special education provider*
• A representative of the school district who is: qualied to provide, or
supervise the provision of, specially designed instruction; is knowledgeable
about the general education curriculum; and is knowledgeable about the
availability of the school district’s resources*
• An individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation
results (this may be a school psychologist or may be one of the teachers or
the district representative listed above)*
• Any individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the
student. These individuals can be invited by either the school or the parent and
might include an advocate, private tutor or related services personnel (such as
a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist or physical therapist)
• When appropriate, the student. (You know your child best, so work with
school sta to determine the appropriate age at which your child is ready to
be part of the IEP team meeting. This will vary based on your child’s disability,
level of maturity and ability to understand the information that is discussed
during an IEP meeting.)
You should read the meeting notice to be sure that the required members are going to
be on hand. You should expect that members will be available for the entire meeting.
If you have any concerns regarding those who are scheduled to attend, communicate
those concerns prior to the meeting. If the school district is proposing to excuse a team
member, be sure you understand the terms of such excusals, as explained below.
Exceptions to IEP Meeting Attendance. IDEA 2004 provides two ways that the
IEP team members indicated above with an * can be excused from attending the
IEP meeting, in whole or in part:
• If the member’s area of the curriculum or related services is not being
modied or discussed in the meeting. Parents must provide written
agreement for this type of excusal.
• If, when the member’s area of curriculum or related services is being
discussed, the member submits written input to the parents and the team
prior to the meeting. Parents must provide informed written consent for this
type of excusal.
This applies whther the IEP team member wishes to be excused from attending either
the entire meeting or part of the meeting. If you would prefer that the school district
not propose to excuse any member of your child’s IEP team, you need to notify the
school, in writing, well in advance of the meeting. Use the Sample Letter Regarding