How do we request an IEP review?

[Anonymous]

We had our IEP meeting at the end of last year, was a last-minute, rushed meeting with limited goals (as we were new to MCPS)

Now that we've begun school, the teacher is getting to know my ds, and school therapists have evaluated him, how does a parent request that the IEP reconvene to
review and include this new information? We get the feeling that no one who works with our ds is 'on the same page', there are gaps, and questions on their and our parts left unexplained.

Do we address our request to the school principal? Is there a formal name for this, or a form?



Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'd contact the teacher and request one. Teachers are the primary drivers for scheduling the IEP.

[Anonymous]

Contact the Special Education Coordinator. Do it in writing (or email). The school has 30 days to meet your request.

[Anonymous]

You are entitled to request a review at any time. If you know the special education coordinator, go through him/her. If not, request it from the principal or assistant principal. As a veteran IEP parent, my suggestion is to establish an e-mail relationship with someone or a group of people who have an obligation to talk to you. Don't do anything that is not in writing. I usually e-mail the principal, assistant principal, classroom teacher and special education coordinator. And, FWIW, I found/find that the schools my kids attend are very responsive and interested in making sure my kids are successful in school.

Not that you asked, but my suggestion is that you plan before you make your request. What are your child's needs and what is it that you want to accomplish by the review. Does the IEP need to be revised or do the staff need to be trained on it. Are there things that came up in the evaluations that are not addressed in the IEP. Be able to specifically state where you think the gaps exist and what you think are the missing pieces. What do you think the team as a whole doesn't know and why - my experience is that the team shares new information without my intervention so your concern doesn't make sense to me and might not make sense to your school.

As to what you ask for, if it were me, I'd send an e-mail saying that now that school has started you have concerns about the adequacy of the IEP and you would like a meeting. One caution though. School has only been in session for one week and your expectations of things being smooth and on target may be too high. So, you might want to first address your concerns with your child's teacher and wait a week or two before you make your request.

[Anonymous]

It is extremely important to request the meeting in writing and then, after the meeting, write a memo summarizing what happened and send it to every one.

School is busy at the beginning but if you get the request in then they have several weeks to schedule it and find a time for every one.

[Anonymous]

OP here--Thanks for all of the helpful advice. My son's class has a 'Special Education Teacher' assigned to them (in addition to the general ed teacher) because the class has several kids w/IEPs. Would you she be the contact, as I don't see anyone with the title, 'Special Ed Coordinator'--or, would the coordinator be located outside of the school?

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

OP: Have you read the book, "From Emotions to Advocacy"?

Here's chapter 12: Smart IEPs -- I find it helpful

http://www.wrightslaw.com/bks/feta2/ch12.ieps.pdf