August. The month when parents of kids with special needs begin advocating. Why? Because they want their children to start the school year with every possible advantage to maximize their progress. This series, based on wisdom shared at last spring’s Accessibility Summit, is designed to help parents become the best advocates they can be. One of the workshops, Advocacy: Critical Conversations with Collaborative Outcomes, featured a blue ribbon panel of educators and parents: Ann Hines, principal at Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School; Barbara Tresness from the CHAT Collective; Linda Starnes, Parent Advocate; and Brendon Wolfe, principal of the S. John Davis Career Center. They shared many tips to help parents become effective IEP meeting advocate. Let’s start with 7 ways to advocate before an IEP meeting.

Have a pre-IEP meeting with the IEP case manager. The IEP case manager is usually the teacher who works most closely with your child. Meet with that person ahead of time to discuss the what and why of your hopes and dreams for the meeting. That way you and the teacher won’t come to the table with widely different goals.

Meet with the school staff before the IEP meeting. Arrange to meet with the educators who work directly with your child. Perhaps the special education teacher, the general education classroom teacher where your child is mainstreamed, and the para-professional. Bring a picture or video of your child interacting at home and a report about out-of-school accomplishments so they get a well-rounded picture of your child.

Talk by phone before the meeting. Ask for a copy of the draft IEP to be discussed at the meeting so you can look it over and be prepared to discuss it knowledgeably.

Ask for more time, if needed. Parents of children with complex or multiple diagnoses or who are medically fragile may need more than the normally allotted time. Call ahead so a longer block can be scheduled.

Study the IEP law. Be sure you know what the law says the school must do, what the school can do, and what it can’t do so your requests are within the law. Wrights Law is a good place to start your education.

Bring data. Ask the teachers for copies of the data they are mandated to collect. Study it ahead of time, make notes, jot down questions, and bring it all to the table.

Remind yourself often that decisions are made based on data. As parents, we get emotional because the discussion is about our kids. We may be tempted to make emotional decisions. But the school is mandated by law to make decisions based on data.

How Do You Advocate Before an IEP Meeting?

What do you do before an IEP meeting to be a better advocate? Would you share your wisdom in the comment box so other parents can become effective advocates, too? Thanks! And come back next week when the experts will share their secrets for avoiding obstacles during the IEP process.

Part One: 7 Ways to Advocate Before an IEP Meeting
Part Two: 4 Special Needs Obstacles to Avoid at School
Part Three: 10 Ways to Advocate at a Difficult IEP Meeting
Part Four: 3 Strategies for Good Communication after an IEP Meeting

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