IEP Team Members

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The members of the IEP team include:

• The parents. Their valuable insights and information about the strengths and needs of the child and ideas for enhancing the child’s education are vital.
• General education teacher(s). The current teacher (if applicable) can share information about classroom expectations and your child's performance.  Next year’s teacher will gain insight into expectations and will have input into the following year.  Getting both there is ideal.
• The special education teacher.  This person needs to have training and experience in educating children with disabilities and in working with other educators to plan accommodations. 
• An individual who can interpret the results of your child's evaluation. They also need to be able to use the results to help plan an appropriate instructional program. This may be therapists or combined with the special education teacher.
• A representative of the school system.  This needs to be someone who knows about special education services available in the district and has the authority to commit resources. This may be the principal or the superintendent.
• Individuals with knowledge or special expertise about your child that are invited by you and/or the school district.  Therapists, respite workers, etc can all fall into this area.  If your child is receiving services from an agency other than the school district, they are valuable in that they have no connection with the district and can be more impartial. We have even had grandparents present.  
• Representatives from transition services agencies, when such services are being discussed.
• Your child, when appropriate and whenever transition is discussed.  It is often suggested that the child be there for all IEP meetings.  Often parents say that “my child will never sit through an IEP meeting.”  This can provide insight for team members of your child’s behavior.
• Any additional advocates for your child.  Our general rule of thumb is to make sure we have more friendlies than non-friendlies present.  The school (aides, teachers and administrators) may have your child’s best interest in mind but they are still in the “business”.  The teacher may agree with you on a teaching method or system but without support from the administration they have the choice to stand your ground or follow the administration.  They more than likely need the job, so the administration does have that on them.  It may not even be something that is consciously noticed but it may be there. Don’t think of them as the enemy but be wary.

 

An IEP team member may be excused from attending an IEP meeting if the member’s area of curriculum or service will not be discussed or modified and if the parent and school agree.

A member of the IEP team may also be excused if the member’s area of curriculum or service will be discussed or modified, if the member submits a written report to the parent and the IEP team in advance, and if the parent provides written consent. (Section 1414(d)(1)(C)) (From Wright’s Law).