You survived your IEP meeting and thought you were in the clear…until you realized that your child is not making enough progress towards their goals or is falling behind in the general education curriculum. Many people think that they have to wait for their annual IEP review meeting to make any changes to the IEP but that is not true!
According to the 2004 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1414 (d)(4)(A)(ii)(I) “The IEP team revises the IEP as appropriate to address any lack of expected progress towards the annual goals and in the general education curriculum where appropriate” which means you can request an IEP meeting as soon as you become concerned that your child is not making enough progress without having to wait for your annual meeting.
Step 1:
Write up a parental concerns document
Step 2:
Write a letter requesting an IEP meeting. I have included one below that you are more than welcome to use. Remember to fill in all the underlined words with your child’s specific information.
Step 3:
CC the principal, teacher and/or other IEP team members involved with your child’s education on the letter and give them copies
Step 4:
Submit your letter to the School District’s Special Education Director or the specific contact person listed on your IEP even if you have already discussed it in person or on the phone with a school official. You will want to retain PROOF of the letter’s delivery. Consider sending the letter “return/receipt requested” from the post office. Or hand deliver and ask that your letter be date stamped and a copy of this given to you before you leave. Or fax your letter and print your “successful transmission” fax report and follow up by phone to ensure the letter was received. While it is quicker to email a letter, try to send a hard copy in addition to the email to increase the chances that it will be added to your child’s file.
YOU’RE DONE! Make sure to follow up about scheduling.
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Date
Name of Special Education Director or contact person listed on IEP
Name of School District
District Address
District City, State, Zip Code
RE: Request for IEP Meeting to Address Limited Progress Towards Goals
Your Child’s Name
Child’s Date of Birth
Child’s School Name
Child’s Grade in School
I am writing on behalf of my child Child’s Name to set up a IEP team meeting as soon as possible to modify his/her current plan to address his/her limited progress towards his/her objectives in accordance with the federal regulations stated in the 2004 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1414(d)(4)(A)(ii)(I).
I have attached our agenda and parental input to discuss at the meeting. Please feel free to contact myself or Other Parent’s Name with any questions. I will follow up with Special Education Director or IEP Contact person by phone on date to discuss scheduling [or request a specific date that you want the school to call you by to discuss scheduling].
Thank you,
Parent Signature
cc: list anyone you want to receive a copy