Family Road Map Guide

Focus
The Classroom –
Treatment Connection
Follow Up
Although an IEP form is long
and complicated, many small
details of the plan may not
be written down. By writing a
short thank-you note to the
school system representative,
you put those details on
record and make sure busy
staff remember to do as they
promised. For example, the
letter might say:
Dear Mrs. Blank,
Thank you for a productive
meeting to create my daughter
Anna Castillo’s IEP. It is
my understanding that the
school psychologist, Dr. Jose
Padillo, will call me within
two weeks to review Anna’s
reading test scores, which
were not available yesterday.
If this is not your understanding,
please contact
me at the phone number or
email address listed above.
I look forward to working
with you.
Sincerely,
Maria Cortez (Mother)
Before You Leave the Meeting
Review all decisions. The person in the room who is recording decisions should read
everything back to the team. Listen very carefully and interrupt politely if anything
is incorrect or has been left out. Feel free to do this as many times as necessary.
If something went by too quickly, ask the person to read it again or show it to you.
Sum up any matters that are not written into the IEP or have been left for next
time. (“OK, my understanding is that we’ve decided to…and our next steps will
be…”) Make sure it is clear WHAT will happen, WHO is responsible for those next
steps, and WHEN they will happen. It’s a good idea to request that these details be
written into the meeting notes, which become part of the IEP document. Ask whom
you should contact if you have any further questions about the IEP document later
on.
Remember to:
1. Take copies of all documents you signed.
2. Put all the documents and materials you brought with you to the meeting back
in your binder.
3. Thank everyone for taking part in your child’s meeting.
What to Do After the Meeting
Give yourself credit for doing your job as a parent advocate. Many parents forget
this important step. You deserve a pat on the back for trying to find your way
through a difficult process.
File all documents back in your binder as soon as possible. Go back to your
notes and fill in any details while your memory is still fresh. If someone took notes
for you, fill in any extra things you remember.
Put any important meeting dates or deadlines on the calendar in the front of
your binder or other location. For example, if the school psychologist promised to
send you a corrected copy of the psycho-educational evaluation report in a week,
mark that date on your calendar as a reminder to call if you don’t get it. If the IEP
team needs to meet again to finish working on goals, pencil in a reminder to check
back in a week if you haven’t received notice of a meeting date.
Reread the IEP document carefully. Make sure you understand the contents,
and if not, call the “contact” staff person with questions.
Send a short thank-you note to the system representative. If the school principal
did not fill this role at the meeting, send him or her a copy of the letter (See
the sidebar at left for a good model letter).
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