Parent participation in IEP meetings: what IDEA requires

Meeting notice and scheduling

The public agency must notify parents early enough to give them an opportunity to attend and schedule the meeting at a mutually agreed time and place. The notice must state the purpose, time and location and who will attend.

What if you cannot attend in person?

IDEA permits other methods to ensure participation, including individual or conference telephone calls and other agreed alternative means. A school may hold a meeting without a parent only after it is unable to convince the parent to attend and must keep records of its attempts to arrange participation.

Interpreters and understanding the proceedings

The agency must take whatever action is necessary to ensure the parent understands the IEP Team proceedings, including arranging an interpreter for a parent who is deaf or whose native language is other than English when appropriate.

Records and a copy of the IEP

Parents have an opportunity to inspect and review education records concerning identification, evaluation, placement and FAPE. The agency must also give the parent a copy of the child’s IEP at no cost.