Facilitated IEP meeting
When to use: Use when you are walking into a facilitated IEP meeting with a neutral state-trained facilitator because parent and school have not reached agreement and want a structured approach before escalating.
YOUR IEP MEETING GAME PLAN Prepared for: [Your child's name] | Facilitated IEP Meeting | [Meeting date] Parent: [Your name] | School: [Your child's school] āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā AGENDA ITEMS TO RAISE āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā [ ] Review of ground rules with the facilitator: who speaks first, time limits, breaks, how concerns get documented. [ ] Each party's specific position on the disputed IEP issues, in writing where possible. [ ] The data each side is relying on for its position. [ ] Areas of agreement first, before working into the areas of disagreement. [ ] Concrete options for each disputed item that the team can evaluate against the data. [ ] An action list documenting any agreements reached, with who is responsible and by when. āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā QUESTIONS TO ASK āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā [ ] What is the agenda for today's meeting? Has the facilitator confirmed it with both parties in advance? [ ] What documents has each side brought, and have they been shared? [ ] On [specific disputed item]: what is the school's evidence? What is mine? [ ] If we agree on partial changes today, can we document those and continue facilitation on the remaining items? [ ] If facilitation does not resolve the disagreement, what are my next dispute-resolution options under IDEA? [ ] How will any agreements reached be documented and incorporated into the IEP? āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā TALKING POINTS āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā [ ] "I'm here in good faith to work toward agreement, but I won't compromise on the substance of FAPE for [Your child's name]." [ ] "On [specific issue], my position is [position] because [data / reasoning]. What is the school's position and reasoning?" [ ] "If we reach partial agreement today, I want it documented in writing before we leave the meeting." [ ] "If facilitation does not resolve [specific issue], I'm preserving the right to file for mediation under 34 CFR 300.506, a state complaint under 34 CFR 300.151, or due process under 34 CFR 300.507." āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā YOUR RIGHTS IN THIS MEETING āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā [ ] Facilitation is voluntary under most state programs. Either party can end facilitation at any time without giving up other rights. [ ] Facilitated IEP is NOT the same as mediation under 34 CFR 300.506. Mediation is a separate IDEA dispute-resolution process. I can request mediation in addition to or instead of facilitation. [ ] Any agreement reached in facilitation that changes the IEP must be documented in the IEP itself and supported by Prior Written Notice under 34 CFR 300.503. [ ] All IDEA rights survive facilitation: state complaint under 34 CFR 300.151, due process under 34 CFR 300.507, IEE under 34 CFR 300.502. [ ] Under 34 CFR 300.321(a)(6), I can bring an advocate or other person with knowledge of my child to the facilitated meeting. āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā THINGS TO BRING āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā [ ] The current IEP with the disputed sections highlighted. [ ] All progress data, evaluations, and provider letters supporting your position on each disputed item. [ ] A written summary of your position, the data, and the specific outcomes you are seeking. [ ] A written list of acceptable alternatives, ranked. [ ] An advocate or trusted second person to take notes (highly recommended for facilitated meetings). [ ] This printed prep sheet.
Customize this prep sheet for your situation
Tell us what's different about your meeting and the prep sheet will rewrite to match. A few sentences is plenty:
- What is the school proposing or refusing?
- What is your top concern walking in?
- What outcome do you want to leave with?
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