IEP Documentation After A Meeting: Special Education Rights

IEP Documentation

After an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, parents are legally entitled to receive two critical documents:

The finalized IEP and
The Prior Written Notice (PWN)

It is essential for parents to understand and review both of these documents carefully. They can be delivered to you via email, hardcopy or both.

The Finalized IEP

The IEP is the legally binding blueprint for your child’s special education services. While you may discuss a draft at the meeting, the school will send you the final version for your review and records. It should contain:

Present levels: A description of your child’s current academic and functional performance.
Goals: Measurable annual goals designed to help your child progress in the general curriculum.
Accommodations and modifications: The specific changes the school will make to help your child learn.
Services: Details on the special education and related services your child will receive, including frequency, duration, and location.
Progress reports: Information on how and when your child’s progress toward their goals will be reported to you.
Placement: An explanation of why your child will or will not be in the general education environment with non-disabled peers.

The Prior Written Notice (PWN)

The PWN is an official letter from the school district that explains any changes it proposes or refuses to make to your child’s IEP. You should receive this document after every meeting, even if you agreed with all the team’s decisions. The PWN is a procedural safeguard under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and must contain:

The action: A clear description of what the school is proposing or refusing to do.
The reason: An explanation for why the school made its decision.
The basis for the decision: A list of evaluations, assessments, and reports that the school used to make its recommendation.
Other options: A description of any other options the IEP team considered and why they were rejected.
Procedural safeguards: Information about your rights as a parent, including how to contact for assistance.

What Should You Do With These Documents?

Review for accuracy: Read both the IEP and PWN carefully to ensure they accurately reflect what was discussed and decided at the meeting. If you notice any discrepancies, contact the case manager or special education director immediately.
File for your records: Create a dedicated file or “IEP binder” to store all special education documents. Having organized records allows you to easily track your child’s progress and refer back to agreed-upon services.
Monitor implementation: Use the finalized IEP to confirm that your child is receiving all the services and supports that were agreed upon. If you notice inconsistencies, reach out to the school to address the issue

Summary

As a parent, you have a legal right to receive a copy of your child’s finalized IEP document, typically within a reasonable timeframe after the meeting, and often before the implementation date.

You should also be given a chance to review the document for accuracy and consistency with what was discussed, and you can request changes if there are any mistakes or omissions. You have the right to request a copy at any time, even before the meeting, and you do not have to sign the document at the end of the meeting; you can take it home to review.

Questions, Help, Support?

If you have questions, or feel like you need some additional support, you can always call me for a free initial consultation about IEP documentation or other current special education challenges with your childs situation in school.

As a parent, what documentation should I receive after an IEP meeting?