What To Do Before Your Child's IEP Meeting

Before any IEP meeting, request your child's complete educational records in writing from the school. IDEA gives you the right to inspect and review all education records. Send the request by email so you have documentation. The school must comply promptly — generally within 45 days in Hawaii.

Go through every page. Check: Are the goals measurable? Are the services specific — hours, frequency, individual vs. group? Does the placement match your child's needs? Is there data supporting the present levels of performance? Bring questions in writing.

You are an equal member of the IEP team. Come with your own list of what your child needs — services, supports, goals, placement. The school does not get to decide alone. Your input must be considered.

You have the right to bring anyone to an IEP meeting — a spouse, a family member, an advocate, or an attorney. Having a witness changes the dynamic. Having an attorney changes it significantly. Call us before the meeting — even a brief consultation can change the outcome.

This is the single most important thing. You are not required to sign the IEP at the meeting. You have the right to take it home, review it, consult with an attorney, and respond in writing. Schools often create urgency around signatures — that urgency is manufactured. Take your time.

After the meeting, send a follow-up email summarizing what was discussed and agreed to. This creates a written record. If the school says something different later, you have documentation. Keep every email, every letter, every notice.

If you left the meeting feeling steamrolled, confused, or like your input was ignored — trust that feeling. Call us. The consultation is free and we will tell you whether what happened was a violation and what you can do about it.