20 Questions

Questions to Ask at IEP Meeting

Essential questions to ask at an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting to ensure your child receives the best possible educational support and services.

1

What are my child's current strengths and how can we build on them?

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Why this works

Understanding your child's strengths helps you focus on their abilities and ensure the IEP builds on their existing skills.

2

What are the specific goals for my child this year and how will we measure progress?

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Why this works

Understanding the goals helps you know what your child is working toward and how their progress will be tracked.

3

What services and supports will my child receive and how often?

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Why this works

Learning about services helps you understand what support your child will have and how frequently they'll receive it.

4

What accommodations and modifications will be provided in the classroom?

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Why this works

Understanding accommodations helps you ensure your child has the support they need to succeed in the classroom.

5

How will my child's progress be monitored and reported to me?

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Why this works

Learning about progress monitoring helps you stay informed about your child's development and ensure goals are being met.

6

What are the biggest challenges in my child's case and how can we address them?

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Why this works

Understanding challenges helps you prepare for potential difficulties and develop strategies to support your child's success.

7

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's academic success?

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Why this works

Understanding success opportunities helps you focus on what's most important and develop strategies to achieve your goals.

8

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's social development?

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Why this works

Understanding social development opportunities helps you focus on building relationships and social skills.

9

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's independence and life skills?

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Why this works

Understanding independence opportunities helps you focus on building skills for future success and self-reliance.

10

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's communication and language development?

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Why this works

Understanding communication opportunities helps you focus on building language skills and expression abilities.

11

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's behavioral and emotional development?

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Why this works

Understanding behavioral opportunities helps you focus on building emotional regulation and positive behavior skills.

12

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's physical and motor development?

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Why this works

Understanding physical development opportunities helps you focus on building motor skills and physical abilities.

13

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's transition planning and future goals?

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Why this works

Understanding transition opportunities helps you focus on preparing for future educational and life transitions.

14

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's technology and assistive technology use?

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Why this works

Understanding technology opportunities helps you focus on using tools and resources to support your child's learning.

15

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's inclusion and participation in general education?

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Why this works

Understanding inclusion opportunities helps you focus on ensuring your child has access to the general education curriculum.

16

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's family involvement and support?

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Why this works

Understanding family involvement opportunities helps you focus on building partnerships and support systems.

17

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's community involvement and connections?

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Why this works

Understanding community opportunities helps you focus on building connections and support networks outside of school.

18

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's self-advocacy and self-determination?

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Why this works

Understanding self-advocacy opportunities helps you focus on building your child's ability to speak up for themselves.

19

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's career and vocational development?

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Why this works

Understanding career opportunities helps you focus on preparing for future employment and vocational success.

20

What are the biggest opportunities for my child's overall well-being and happiness?

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Why this works

Understanding well-being opportunities helps you focus on ensuring your child's overall happiness and quality of life.

Navigating IEP Meetings

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Preparing for the IEP Meeting

Review Your Child's Current IEP

Familiarize yourself with your child's current IEP, goals, and services to ask informed questions about progress and changes.

Document Your Concerns

Write down any concerns or questions you have about your child's education and development.

Prepare Your Questions

Have thoughtful questions ready that address your child's specific needs and your concerns about their education.

Types of IEP Questions

Goals and Progress

Current strengths and abilities
Annual goals and objectives
Progress monitoring and measurement
Success criteria and benchmarks

Services and Support

Special education services
Related services and therapies
Accommodations and modifications
Assistive technology and tools

Development and Growth

Academic and learning opportunities
Social and emotional development
Communication and language skills
Independence and life skills

Advocating for Your Child

Stay Informed

Keep up with your child's progress and ask questions as they arise throughout the school year.

Communicate Regularly

Maintain regular communication with teachers and service providers to stay informed about your child's development.

Be an Active Participant

Participate actively in IEP meetings and school activities to ensure your child's needs are being met.

Find Your Perfect Questions

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