By Emma 
Parental participation in the creation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) is indispensable. Involving parents in IEPs is mandatory throughout the decision-making process in special education.
Parents and legal guardians of the student are core members of the IEP team alongside the special education teachers and student therapists who make the decisions on the student’s goals, curriculum and program development.
Table of Contents
The Legal Role of Parents in IEP Processes
As per IDEA, the participation of the parents in the IEP process is mandatory and they are equal members of the IEP team.
According to the law, parents must be included in every step of the special education process including the creation of an IEP, the goal-tracking and changes to an IEP based on goal-tracking.
The parents or guardians need to be present along with the student during the IEP meeting as a part of the IEP team. Other members of the IEP team include the classroom teacher, special education teacher, representative of the school district, and outside specialists (or advocates).
Why Parent Presence is Important for Initial IEP Creation
While all key members of the IEP team will understand the unique needs of the child, only the parents will have experienced their child’s realistic abilities, challenges and support requirements firsthand.
The rest of the IEP team can gain unique insights into the child’s medical, educational and developmental history, and necessities from the parents.
Parents can work with the team to develop realistic programs and short and long-term goals tailored to their child.
Collaborating with Parents is a Must Throughout the School Year
IDEA mandates the participation of the child’s parents in every IEP meeting throughout the school year. The special education teacher and therapist should provide regular IEP goal-tracking progress reports to the parents.
IDEA demands transparency in IEP creation and goal-tracking. Maintaining open communication channels between the parents and the child’s IEP team is the only way to achieve this transparency.
IEP goal-tracking should accurately reflect the student’s current abilities and improvement in real-time. This allows for data-driven modifications to IEP goals. Using a digital IEP goal-tracking tool that generates ready-to-print progress reports can simplify this process.
The parents have the right to raise any concerns about the child’s academic, communication, social, or other skill development performance at any time.
Parental Involvement in IEPs & Preparing for Annual IEP Reviews
Two-way communication between parents and the IEP team can provide multiple benefits when preparing for annual reviews, including:
- Gathering insights on the child’s behavior and skills demonstrated outside of school
- Collaborating on potential goal modifications based on parental feedback
- Incorporating the parents’ perspective on the child’s holistic development over the past year
Special education teachers who maintain contact with parents often find it easier to tailor meaningful changes to existing IEPs that support their students’ growth.
Parents can Tell When the Student Needs Additional Support Services
If parents have additional concerns, they can directly convey them to the special education teacher, child’s therapist or district specialist.
As per IDEA, parents can:
- Request additional testing and assessments if they feel the IEP does not accurately reflect their child’s needs and abilities.
- Advocate for extra supportive services such as speech therapy or ASL interpreters for their child.
Resolving Disagreements
It’s possible for parents to disagree with the current IEP if dissatisfied with their child’s progress. Direct parent involvement as an IEP team member can facilitate quicker dispute resolution.
Parents have the right to call an IEP meeting if unsatisfied with their child’s progress or IEP reports. Unresolved disputes at the school level allow parents to file a state complaint, since IDEA non-compliance is punishable by federal law. At this stage, parents can choose to hire a lawyer.
Including parents as equal IEP decision-makers from the start and keeping them informed with data-driven progress reports can prevent disputes.
Reasons to Encourage Parents to Actively Participate in IEPs
Special education teachers should encourage parental involvement in all IEP events set meeting schedules, send email reminders, and arrange phone calls. This will help ensure parents:
- Attend informational workshops on the IEP process to gain full understanding
- Stay updated on their child’s performance data and progress reports
- Connect with other parents of children with IEPs for support
- Have realistic expectations for their child attending special education classes
Parental participation is indispensable in special education as mandated by IDEA. By collaborating as equals on the IEP team, maintaining open communication, and making data-driven decisions, parents and teachers can partner to create the most effective IEP for each student to reach their full potential.
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