IEP Meeting Checklist for Parents
Use this checklist to help you prepare for, participate in, and follow up after your child’s IEP meeting. You don’t need to do everything at once, this is a guide to support confident advocacy.
✅ BEFORE THE IEP MEETING
Learn & Prepare
☐ Review your child’s current IEP and progress reports
☐ Read recent evaluations, assessments, and teacher notes
☐ Understand your child’s eligibility and areas of need
☐ DESE Special Education Eligibility Flowchart
☐ Review information about the Massachusetts IEP process and form
Reflect on Your Child
☐ Write down your child’s strengths and interests
☐ Note areas where your child struggles at school or home
☐ Consider what helps your child learn best
☐ Talk with your child about school (if appropriate)
Set Priorities
☐ Identify your top concerns
☐ List skills you want your child to build this year
☐ Think about academic, social, emotional, and functional needs
☐ Prepare questions you want answered
Plan Ahead
☐ Confirm the meeting date, time, and location
☐ Request an interpreter or translated documents if needed
☐ Invite a support person or advocate (optional)
☐ Bring a notebook or device to take notes
🗣️ DURING THE IEP MEETING
Participate as a Team Member
☐ Share your perspective on your child’s strengths and needs
☐ Ask for explanations if something is unclear
☐ Make sure your concerns are discussed and documented
Review the IEP Sections
☐ Vision statement reflects your child and family priorities
☐ Present levels accurately describe your child
☐ Goals are specific, meaningful, and measurable
☐ Services and supports match your child’s needs
☐ Accommodations and modifications are clearly listed
Clarify & Confirm
☐ Understand who provides each service and how often
☐ Ask how progress will be measured and shared
☐ Discuss how supports will look in the classroom
☐ Review transition planning (if age appropriate)
📄 AFTER THE IEP MEETING
Review & Decide
☐ Read the finalized IEP carefully
☐ Check that agreed-upon changes were included
☐ Sign and return the IEP when comfortable
Stay Engaged
☐ Save copies of the IEP and related documents
☐ Communicate regularly with teachers and providers
☐ Track progress toward goals
☐ Follow up if services are not starting as planned
Advocate When Needed
☐ Request a meeting if concerns arise
☐ Ask for revisions if goals or services aren’t working
☐ Seek additional supports or evaluations if needed
⭐ REMINDERS FOR PARENTS
☐ You are an equal and valued member of the IEP team
☐ You can ask questions at any time
☐ You can request another meeting at any point
☐ It’s okay to take time before agreeing to the IEP
This checklist is intended to support families navigating the Massachusetts IEP process and can be printed or saved for ongoing use.