Meeting Preparation

This page provides a guideline about how to prepare for specific meetings as part of your child’s assessment process. The website Understood.com has put together a guide for parents new to the process.  KidsTogether has also put together a list of Common Mistakes.  It is important to take notes at all of your school meetings so that you can recall and reference back when necessary.

This page provides a guideline of what to bring with you to specific meetings as part of your child’s assessment process.

Initial and Re-evaluation meeting

Understand your rights, using resources such as Wrightslaw and Massachusetts state regulations.

• Bring your child’s evaluations in a file or notebook. Include both school evaluations and outside evaluations, if you have them.
• Bring a photo of your child (especially if there is a large IEP population in your school.)
• External resource: 10 Defusing Phrases to Use at IEP Meetings
• Before you leave the meeting, ensure that next steps are clearly defined and understood

Re-evaluation or yearly (annual) Team meeting

• A copy of your child’s current IEP (and the previous IEP) for reference.
• Bring your child’s Communication Notebook (or printed out emails).
• Gather up your child’s work samples from both general ed classes and special ed sessions.
• Documents to create for your meeting:
  • A list of questions you may have about the evaluations
  • Find your child’s lowest scores to review as potential areas of focus
  • A list of your concerns
  • A list of your child’s concerns (as applicable)
  • A list of hopes and dreams for your child.  This can be used to create your vision statement
  • Revisions to previously drafted goals
• Before you leave the meeting, ensure that next steps are clearly defined and understood

Contact your Case Manager/Team Chair a few days in advance of the meeting to discuss the agenda for the meeting. Inquire about how much time has been scheduled for the meeting and request an adjustment, if applicable.

After the Meeting

Assess the meeting: Did the people at your Team meeting discuss issues and create goals?  Did they work as a group towards consensus? Did you take notes? Contact your Case Manager/Team Chair with any questions.